My ashtray's flowing over, 
And the 'phone's left off the hook. 
I've been staring for three hours 
At the first page of a book. 
Day and night I keep the curtains drawn, 
And curse the very day that I was born, 
And get to thinking, 
How I need you, 
Now. 

I keep staring at my wristwatch, 
Until it's ticking fills the room, 
And the hollow sound reminds me 
Of the silence of a tomb, 
And as the ceiling and the walls close in, 
And the furniture begins to spin, 
I get to thinking, 
How I need you, 
Now. 

And as the days go passing by, 
And I never get a letter, 
How I need you. 
Days turn into weeks, 
And it doesn't get much better, 
How I need you. 

The gaslit streets lean slowly 
As I reel against the wall, 
And my musty head is aching 
As I stagger down the hall; 
Then I fill the broken glass once more, 
And fling the empty bottle to the floor, 
And get to thinking, 
How I need you ...