[Intro: Alex Kapranos] From the West Coast, gonna take a plane Hit the East Coast, gonna take an A-train Hit the East Coast, going all the way Why don't you come to Harlem?
[Verse 1: Russell Mael] Oh, this place we'd love to see But I remained in Harlem Had to pay my parking fees Felt just like PT Barnum Caught a couple Pinter plays I should have stayed in Harlem Then I heard a policeman say "I think we should disarm him I think we should strong-arm him" So out of place in Harlem
[Pre-Chorus 1: Russell Mael & Alex Kapranos] Then I see you standing there With your dyed-black hair and no underwear
[Chorus: Russell Mael & Alex Kapranos] x2 Bom-bom diddy-diddy Bom-bom diddy-diddy Bom-bom diddy Police encounters
[Verse 2: Russell Mael & Alex Kapranos] Caught a couple Albee plays I should have stayed in Harlem Then I heard a policeman say "Do your best, do not alarm him"
[Pre-Chorus 2: Russell Mael & Alex Kapranos] I've got eyes for the policeman's wife In her dyed-black hair and a Bowie knife I've got eyes for the policeman's wife The policeman's wife, the policeman's wife The policeman's wife, the policeman's wife
[Chorus: Russell Mael & Alex Kapranos] x2 Bom-bom diddy-diddy Bom-bom diddy-diddy Bom-bom diddy Police encounters
[Bridge: Russell Mael & Alex Kapranos] Diddy-diddy (Bom-bom) Diddy-diddy (Bom-bom) Diddy-diddy Police encounters Diddy-diddy (Bom-bom) Diddy-diddy Police encounters
[Verse 3: Russell Mael & Alex Kapranos] Unions went on strike today But I remained in Harlem
[Pre-Chorus 3: Russell Mael & Alex Kapranos] I've got eyes for the policeman's wife In her dyed-black hair and a Bowie knife As I see her standing there alone In her dyed-black hair and her Android phone
[Chorus: Russell Mael & Alex Kapranos] x6 Bom-bom diddy-diddy Bom-bom diddy-diddy Bom-bom diddy Police encounters