[Verse 1]
I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel
You were talking so brave and so sweet
Giving me head on the unmade bed
While the limousines wait in the street
Those were the reasons, that was New York
We were running for the money and the flesh
And that was called love for the workers in song
Probably still is for those of them left

[Chorus]
You got away, didn't you, babe?
You just turned your back on the crowd
You got away, I never once heard you say
I need you, I don't need you
I need you, I don't need you
All of that jiving around

[Verse 2]
I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel
You were famous, your heart was a legend
You told me again you preferred handsome men
But for me, you'd make an exception
Clenching your fist for the ones like us
Who are oppressed by the figures of beauty
You fixed yourself and said, “Well, never mind
We are ugly, but we have music”
[Chorus]
You got away, didn't you, babe?
You just turned your back on the crowd
You got away, I never once heard you say
I need you, I don't need you
I need you, I don't need you
All of that jiving around

[Outro]
I don't mean to suggest that I loved you the best
I can't keep track of each fallen robin
But I remember you well in the Chelsea hotel
That's all, I don't even think of you that often