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Big Yellow Taxi: An Environmental Standard

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They Paved Paradise and Put Up a Parking Lot

Joni Mitchell wrote Big Yellow Taxi and first recorded the song for her 1970 album, "Ladies of the Canyon". While the title refers to the last verse, in which a big yellow taxi "took away my old man", the song became famous for its environmental stance, lamenting the use of pesticides and the destruction of natural habitats.

Cover versions of Big Yellow Taxi has been recorded by a dozen or more people, some faithful to the original lyrics and some with changes. Joni Mitchell requested that Amy Grant alter the lyrics for her 1995 recording of the song on the album "House of Love". Counting Crows also had a hit with their second version Big Yellow Taxi, with Vanessa Carlton, from the soundtrack for 2002's Two Weeks Notice. The most recent cover version of the song came from Ms. Mitchell, herself, on her 2007 album "Shine".

Find the lyrics and guitar tabs here as well as the original version of the song, my personal favorite cover, music videos of the song, and other covers of Big Yellow Taxi. If I've skipped over your favorite version, please let me know.

Joni Mitchell's Original Recording of Big Yellow Taxi

Big Yellow Taxi (LP Version)

Big Yellow Taxi (LP Version)

Amazon Price: (as of 05/29/2012)Buy Now

The song that everyone knows, even if no one can remember the name. Joni Mitchell's classic song struck a chord with many people and is still garnering attention and covers to this day.

Big Yello Taxi Lyrics

The Original Joni Mitchell Version

They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique,
And a swinging hot spot.

Chorus:
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot.

They took all the trees
Put 'em in a tree museum.
And they charged the people
A dollar and a half just to see 'em.

Chorus

Hey farmer, farmer
Put away that DDT now.
Give me spots on my apples
But leave me the birds and the bees, please!

Chorus

Late last night
I heard the screen door slam
And a big yellow taxi
Took away my old man.

Chorus

They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot.

My Favorite Cover Version of Big Yellow Taxi

Keb' Mo' and His Son

Big Yellow Taxi

Big Yellow Taxi

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 05/29/2012)Buy Now

With their talent and a clear impression of just how much they're enjoying performing together, Keb' Mo' and his son have put together a beautiful and moving cover of Big Yellow Taxi for 2001's "Big Wide Grin". Hearing two generations perform the song together gives you more perspective on the idea that climate change and green space are issues that we leave to our children.

Music Videos for Big Yellow Taxi

Joni Mitchell, Counting Crows, and More

This list includes everyone from Joni Mitchell (of course) to Green Day, with Amy Grant and Counting Crows thrown in for good measure. I'm terribly sad that the video of the Keb' Mo' version I used to have here no longer appears at YouTube but I found ten more for you to enjoy.
big yellow taxi - joni mitchell in concert 1970
by musicben2 | video info

5,664 ratings | 2,618,281 views
curated content from YouTube

Guitar Tabs for the Counting Crows Cover Version

Big Yellow Taxi in the 2000s

Then a couple more choruses and some blah blah chatter. The song is played with standard tuning, which is why I chose to include this version rather than one of the more faithful sets that require special tuning. The only other note reads:

CAPO FIRST FRET, PINKY DOWN ON ALL Ds.

Other People's Versions of Big Yellow Taxi

From Amy Grant, Counting Crows, and Others

You can preview the tracks here and enjoy the various takes on this song that has become an anthem for saving the environment.

Which Cover of Big Yellow Taxi Is Your Favorite?

Or Did Joni Mitchell Get It Right the First Time?

  • Larbin Apr 17, 2011 @ 12:03 pm | delete
    Counting crows...I love them..built a lens for them...
    _________________________________________
    http://www.squidoo.com/counting-crows
  • Jewelsofawe Nov 24, 2008 @ 3:00 pm | delete
    I love this song
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If you enjoyed hearing several versions of this song, there are plenty of others that have several covers as well. Please feel free to explore these, as well.
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