You were the darling of the back alley bars and the one night stands The sweetheart of Harlem, and they'd all gather round just to hear you again Playin' midtown Manhattan, you still got'em all in the palm of your hand White gardenias and satin, but you're still hangin' round with the boys in the band Whatcha drinking, Eleanora? Got you're eye on the top shelf? Hell, I'll do what I can for you, but you should learn to help yourself They're sick of your drama, so you're working for your ticket home
And you just miss your mama, you just want someone you can call your own What you need is a good man, someone to take care of you Cause you don't give a goddamn, you earned what you got now it's yours to lose But where'd you get that shiner, Eleanora? Is he hitting you again? Don't you know everyone adores you? Can't you find a better man? They took all your money You're j**elry and your fancy clothes And they called you a junkie, came just to hear you miss a note