Big Yellow Taxi
Chris McHugh, Jerry McPherson, Michael Omartian, Brent Rowan, Daniel O'Lannerghty, Gary Chapman, Amy Grant, Eric Darken
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They paved paradise and put up a parking lot With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swinging hot spot Don't it always seem to go That you don't know what you've got till it's gone They paved paradise and put up a parking lot Shoo-bop-bop-bop-bop, shoo-bop-bop-bop They took all the trees and put 'em in a tree museum And then they charged all the people twenty-five bucks just to see 'em Don't it always seem to go That you don't know what you've got till it's gone They paved paradise and put up a parking lot Shoo-bop-bop-bop-bop, shoo-bop-bop-bop Hey farmer, farmer, put away your DDT now Give me spots on my apples but leave me the birds and the bees, please Don't it always seem to go That you don't know what you've got till it's gone They paved paradise and put up a parking lot I say, they paved paradise and they put up a parking lot Don't it always seem to go That you don't know what you've got till it's gone They paved paradise and put up a parking lot Shoo-bop-bop-bop-bop Late last night I heard the screen door slam And a big yellow taxi carried off my old man Don't it always seem to go That you don't know what you've got till it's gone They paved paradise and they put up a parking lot Shoo-bop-bop-bop-bop Don't it always seem to go That you don't know what you've got till it's gone They paved paradise and put up a parking lot Shoo-bop-bop-bop-bop Oh, now, they paved paradise and they put up a parking lot Shoo-bop-bop-bop-bop Hey, steam rolled paradise and put up a parking lot Shoo-bop-bop-bop-bop
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Written by: Joni Mitchell
Lyrics © Crazy Crow Music / Siquomb Music Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Original ArtistJoni Mitchell is the original singer and songwriter of "Big Yellow Taxi". She composed it during her first trip to Hawaii in 1970.
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Literal InspirationJoni Mitchell once said that she wrote "Big Yellow Taxi" after looking out of her hotel window in Hawaii and seeing a car park overtaking the beauty of the surrounding nature.
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Award RecognitionThe song is one of Joni Mitchell's most popular, and earned her a Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 2007.
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Environmental Theme"Big Yellow Taxi" is often considered an environmental anthem, with its lyrics emphasizing the importance of natural beauty and critiquing the modern world's inclination towards commercialization and urban development.
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Amy Grant's VersionAmy Grant covered "Big Yellow Taxi" in 1994 on her album "House of Love". Her version was a top 20 hit on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
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Different LyricsWhile Amy Grant's version generally adhered to the original lyrics, she did change one verse to give the song a more Christian perspective.
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Counting Crows's VersionCounting Crows covered "Big Yellow Taxi" for the soundtrack of the film 'Two Weeks Notice' in 2002. Their version featured backing vocals by Vanessa Carlton.
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Chart SuccessCounting Crows' version was a big success in many countries, reaching No.5 in the UK Singles Chart, No.1 in the Canadian Singles Chart, and No.42 in the US Billboard Hot 100.
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Non-album SingleCounting Crows version was not initially included in any of their studio albums. It was later included in their greatest hits album.
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Live PerformancesJoni Mitchell has often included "Big Yellow Taxi" in her live performances throughout her career, and many of these renditions have received critical acclaim.
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Pop Culture ReferencesThe song, due to its recognizable lyric "they paved paradise and put up a parking lot," has been referenced and covered in a variety of media including film, television and other music artist's works.
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Continued RelevanceAs environmental issues continue to be pertinent, the song remains relevant and is considered a timeless classic that speaks about the destruction of Earth's natural beauty for commercial gain.
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Citation
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