They Paved Paradise and Put Up a Parking Lot
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)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/04/2009)
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 paradiseAnd 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
Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
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.
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
Which Cover of Big Yellow Taxi Is Your Favorite?
Or Did Joni Mitchell Get It Right the First Time?
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Reply
- Jewelsofawe Jewelsofawe Nov 24, 2008 @ 3:00 pm
- I love this song
Other Cover Song and Standards Lenses
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.-
Mack the Knife: A Swingin' Standard
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For a complete explanation of where Mack the Knife came from (and why you ought not be too taken with the scoundrel), check The Straight Dope. This lens picks up at the point where Louis Armstrong recorded the smash hit swing version of the song in 1...
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Route 66: A Modern Standard
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Whether you remember Nat King Cole crooning about Route 66 in the 40s and 50s, Depeche Mode rocking the way down the road in the 80s, or you first heard John Mayer or Chuck Berry singing the song in the movie Cars, this song has been moving and inspi...
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Knockin' on Heaven's Door Cover Versions
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Bob Dylan wrote Knockin' on Heaven's Door as a part of his soundtrack for a movie about Billy the Kid in the early 1970s. Whether it was the imagery of the lyrics or the global fascination with cowboys and bandits, the song was an instant success. Kn...
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Cecilia Song Cover Versions
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Paul Simon wrote Cecilia and the song first appeared on the Simon and Garfunkel album "Bridge over Troubled Water" in 1970. Whether because that original version was so amazingly well done or simply because it was so popular--reaching #4 in the US--n...
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People Get Ready: A Gospel-Inspired Standard
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Curtis Mayfield wrote People Get Ready for The Impressions, who had their biggest hit with the song in 1965. The song has been credited with changing the face of popular music, and dozens of singers and bands have recorded cover versions ever since....
by Not-Pop
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