Amy Grant - Big Yellow Taxi Lyrics






They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a botique, 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

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

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

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

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 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
Hey, they steamrolled paradise... for a parking lot





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Amy Grant Big Yellow Taxi Comments
  1. t.... ....

    Is there actually a tree museum??

  2. s.... ....

    I like Amy Grants at least it’s on key with the background vocals

  3. K.... ....

    A big yellow taxi took away her old man? Nah she just got a divorce.

  4. S.... S....

    💖🌻🌹

  5. A.... Y....

    Highlighting environmental issues well before the brats of today

  6. T.... G....

    the only reason im listing to this is because im doing this song for my concert

  7. H.... P....

    To be honest, personally I like Amy Grant's version much more than Joni Mitchell's one.

    H.... P....

    Your crazy she dont even sound like that

    H.... P....

    @Christopher Deal of course she doesn't sound like Joni Mitchel.

  8. T.... K....

    Yeah Yeah Yeah!!!!!

  9. S.... L....

    Back when men were men, and women wore shoulder pads :P

  10. F.... D....

    Que saudades de 1995 !!!

  11. C.... F....

    Very good cover loved this song

  12. B.... W....

    Best version ever love her music ❤❤❤🇺🇸

  13. m.... d....

    My favorite version of this song.

  14. J.... S....

    Decent vocals but this is literally the worst music video I've ever seen - and I mean literally, I'm not over-exaggerating, this is is it - this is rock bottom.

  15. j.... b....

    I thought american christians denied climate change. Hmmmm

  16. I.... k....

    Hello mam this was one of my favorites 😆😍

  17. M.... N....

    A good cover
    SUPERB cover.

  18. c.... t....

    Wow. Amy is on tour again! I saw her with girlfriends in '87. Lots of fun!

  19. S.... ....

    This song gives us a clue what really is causing global warming. If you want to know, just ask since I am planning to announce it somewhere someday and why not give you the con-clue-sion under this video comment?

    S.... ....

    bad christians

    S.... ....

    @john bacon No not bad christians, it is in your basic High School geography and geology textbooks what is causing the polar ice to melt and raising the ocean levels.

  20. A.... ....

    This song hails back to a simpler time when musicians were actually musicians and not Sample & Lyric Junkies. I still like Amy's version better even though I grew up with Joni's version which was still a great song!

  21. R.... L....

    Much much better than the Counting Crows & Michelle Branch atrocity but still nowhere near as good as Joni's.
    I still love Amy Grant though!

  22. A.... R....

    woooooooooooooooooooooooow

  23. R.... S....

    Meu Deus! Passei mais de dez anos de minha existência tentando descobrir o nome dessa música...
    Obrigada Senhor! Era a Amy, sempre foi a Amy Lee...😝😁😁😁

  24. M.... C....

    Bless Joni for writing and performing such a classic, Amy Grants version is more suitable for the 90's, but it was performed with the same spirit!

  25. M.... B....

    Joni Mitchell wrote a great song!

  26. S.... ....

    When this song was popular on the radio, I knew a little First Nation Indian girl named Rachelle and one day she said, "I like the parking lot song ... " Apparently a teacher or someone was playing it for the kids where ever Rachellie began to enjoy it. SO CUTE!

  27. B.... T....

    The second best version of this song right after Joni Mitchell's

  28. L.... T....

    Mitchell’s version is nice, but this is better.

  29. j.... ....

    Counting Crows did her song ten times better. Sorry Amy!

  30. A.... d....

    So chuffed someones done a respectful cover of Joni's classic 😊😊 Balls to Counting crows!!

    A.... d....

    both covers suck but at least counting crows' has some soul to it. This seems taken straight out of a generic 90s sitcom.

  31. S.... B....

    After hearing this song for all of my life, it just occurred to me: what in the world does a yellow taxi taking her Old man away have to do with the song? Was her old man the Lorax?

  32. C.... W....

    recorded for her 2006 live album, this is just some fantastic lip-synching

  33. S.... G....

    Anyone in 2018?

  34. J.... S....

    This video cost a dollar and a half to make

  35. G.... R....

    Best version of this song EVER! And i still love hearing it over 20 years later.

  36. m.... ....

    Love Amy Grant but please guys nobody will ever ever sing it better than the original genius who wrote it Joni Mitchell herself in the 1970 YouTube video. Please watch it and compare.No bullshit MTV video cartoons. Just her and her guitar...………….

  37. g.... ....

    Got nothing against Amy Grant but sorry this is a horrendous cover version, as is the Counting Crows version. People shouldn’t mess with Joni Mitchell, or if they do, have the balls to change the tune but stay true to the lyrics.

    g.... ....

    I kinda agree with you, but horrendous is a word I wouldn't use. I don't mind this version and the video is good to watch. Appreciate it, no one is perfect, yadda yadda yadda

  38. E.... 1....

    blows all the other versions out of the water

  39. p.... s....

    Amy is one beautiful woman. Great voice too and a great cover.

  40. R.... L....

    Could have done a better job with the video but the song is awesome so 50/50

  41. S.... M....

    The sad thing is that this song will always be relevant and its gonna get worse as time goes on.

  42. C.... M....

    1:25 - is she singing, 'please,' as in the Joni Mitchell version, or 'bees'?

  43. C.... M....

    Beautiful voice.

  44. B.... Z....

    Parking lot is no more, due to frequently occurred man-made earthquakes during obama admin. I believe obama was kicking you all towards Islam.

  45. R.... G....

    Favorite song

  46. A.... M....

    that Debra Messing sure can sing.. who knew? 🤔

  47. B.... Z....

    I have no idea why Samurai would cut their own belly for a suicide, but I see man-made earthquakes damaged the Yellow Taxi, so you all have to beg Islam for your soul's survival. All hail obama for obama claimed "My core is safe" as a start shall be appropriate. How the US Dem as a seemingly garbage collector these days eventually walking on the radical Liberalism is a big lesson for our US people!

  48. G.... J....

    What the fuck is a tree museum

  49. D.... B....

    She;s awesome!!

  50. E.... ....

    Love Amy's voice! Always brings tears to my eyes when I try to sing along to any of her songs!! She has such a gift!!

    E.... ....

    Exterminence werido

  51. 4.... ....

    People prefer Amy's version of Big Yellow Taxi to Joni Mitchell's original version for the same reason they prefer Manfred Mann's version of Blinded By The Light to Bruce Springsteen's original version, as well as Jimi Hendrix's version of All Along The Watchtower to Bob Dylan's original version. Just because you wrote the lyrics doesn't mean you're the best person to sing the song or give it the best musical arrangements.

    4.... ....

    I think I agree with that, but not with other ideas. If I get an idea or insight how to apply something better, then it will probably work better for me than others since I am the proud originator of the technique and have more confidence it work for me since I thought of it first.

  52. T.... A....

    Insult to Joni

  53. P.... ....

    awwww Amy is so pretty! My mom has always been a fan girl of hers lol. I like her version better than counting crows. Amy Grant is so cool lol

  54. L.... C....

    She puts a country twist on this classic and makes it her own. I love Amy! xoxo

  55. R.... C....

    Oh yes....We are building a website to save a river corridor from new builds River Crane Sanctuary......hope ok to link this video? Love
    Sammi

  56. J.... ....

    ms morris, what does it mean

  57. M.... G....

    Another cover of this joni mitchell song sung by the underated cristian singer amy grant who successfully crossed over to pop

    M.... G....

    Joni mitchell and amy grant are both great singer songwriters both with nice voices it shows how much joni mitchell is respected by new artists

    M.... G....

    And it has been coverd by michelle branch and counting crows different again

    M.... G....

    Amy grant was originally a christian singer she crossed over to pop in the nineties and her husband is vince gill country singer

  58. L.... B....

    The video and singing is way too light-hearted for the subject matter.

    L.... B....

    Agree . It’s like she doesn’t even understand what she is singing about, stupid bimbo!

    L.... B....

    @phaena no need to be an asshole jeez

  59. L.... J....

    My favourite version. I hate the Counting Crows version

  60. M.... P....

    odd video but hay great song

  61. H.... F....

    I like joni's version better than this. I think it's that joni's voice is light. Whoever likes the counting crows one is a disgrace to humanity.

  62. A.... M....

    I think the video is great too! 😄

  63. A.... M....

    Lovely stuff. Beautiful really.

  64. A.... ....

    Amy does her Nanny fashion impersonation.. :) Love the video and her rendition of the song..

  65. R.... F....

    Joni's was better, but this was good, too.

  66. M.... ....

    Such a beautiful voice. So many versions of this track, but this'll always be my favorite.

    M.... ....

    How ?? Worst version no one can sing it like joni

    M.... ....

    This is a good version but Joni's version is better

  67. J.... F....

    She had some really great catchy tunes

  68. P.... F....

    well, joni mitchell was a talented human, but that darn amy grant has i light that radiates from her face and her smile that warms my heart. other than my mom, and my wife i think that vince gill has been blessed by god with that piece of love and sunshine that is the lovely smile, and lovely voice that is amy grant

  69. S.... T....

    she says 25 bags not 25 bugs or bucks to see em trees in the tree museum. wouldn't that be called an arboretum?

  70. D.... M....

    Thank you Amy!

  71. f.... ....

    In the Joni Mitchell version of this song it cost $1.50 US just to see the trees back in 1970s. In Amy Grant's version it cost $25.00 US to see the trees in mid 90's. Today (2016) it would cost $39.25 to see the trees. Damn Inflation.

    f.... ....

    Saon nalang ani, balik na sad tas scol bocol

    f.... ....

    $1.50 in 1970 would be $5.89 in 1995 when this version came out or $10.02 in 2019. I think Amy was cooking the books!

    f.... ....

    imagine spending 40 dollars to see trees when i can just look out my window and see them for free

    f.... ....

    @Shifty__ 1.50 in 1970 is 9.92 in 2019 dollars.

    f.... ....

    What about the counting crows version?

  72. i.... ....

    This better be good..

    i.... ....

    Holy shit I can't even watch this booooooooooo

    i.... ....

    +imapumpkin1 make it STOP HEHEHEHEHEH

  73. M.... T....

    Amy grant is better loved it I still listen to this now 2016 great song reminds me back in the days love it!!!!!

  74. C.... i....

    Amy's got nothing Joni.

    C.... i....

    better looks?

    C.... i....

    Except that Amy has a better voice. Joni came from that singer-songwriter era where you didn't actually have to have a good voice to be a singer.

    C.... i....

    Yes. For a deaf one she sure has...

  75. S.... I....

    Love this version better :) than that new version being played on the radio.  I remember Joni MItchell's version :)

    S.... I....

    +Sean Ingram No matter how close anyone tries to get, no one can top Joni. She knew this was going to happen too.

    S.... I....

    If its called big yellow taxi once

    S.... I....

    I mean it says it once

  76. h.... m....

    i remember the good 'ol days when the tree museums used to be $1.50

    h.... m....

    haha! good one..

    h.... m....

    Right, and a 2-dollar bill would have got you into the museum, with 50 cents change.

    h.... m....

    holy moly I remember the good old days when it used to be 25 bucks.

  77. J.... R....

    sweet blazer suit amy LOL . . .

  78. r.... r....

    great song spot  tread she walking on lol

  79. M.... G....

    Love the song because the words are so true like the aquarium that charges $20 per person including babies.

  80. A.... ....

    OMG SUPER :D

  81. W.... L....

    A plastic remake of a great Joni Mitchell song. I'll take Joni over this rubbish any day.

    W.... L....

    +newfrontier Didn't you say the same thing about two years ago? Never mind when you made your comment, you're still an insufferable git.

    W.... L....

    +SWalkerTTU Couldn't resist reposting - The video popped up in my Watch Again YouTube Feed. I'm out of this one - no need to expend any more energy on it. Happy Two Year anniversary. Cheers!

    W.... L....

    I think I like Joni's better too, but not by much. Amy is not rubbish, young man. "That is the biggest load of rubbish I've heard in all my life!" ~ Bo Diddley. What are you going to do next? Call MaDonna trash?

  82. M.... C....

    i like counting crows version better

    M.... C....

    Mr. Chip you are truly discusting

    M.... C....

    @Chigger D' Chode I would take your attempt at judging me more seriously if you could just spell an easy word like 'disgusting' the proper way!

  83. c.... ....

    Absolute classic

  84. T.... V....

    Decent cover but that video is horrendous.

    T.... V....

    +Costco Rep 90's say hi lol

    T.... V....

    They spent just enough money to put it on TV and make it look like they gave a damn.

    T.... V....

    Boo! Love the video!!!!!

    T.... V....

    seriously? I really dig it. Amy is so freaking adorable!

    T.... V....

    Darude Sandstorm I Agree great song but video is dull

  85. S.... ....

    What a babe! What an impeccable cover! What a neat video! Why does this only have 331,000 views while Taylor Swift is getting over a billion views?

  86. U.... R....

    Amy Grant is absolutely adorable...but not so much in that 90's "woman suit" shes rocking.

    U.... R....

    Her beauty shines through regardless of her outfit. See her as a whole person dont segment her.

  87. S.... M....

    This is all I see on youtube these days, someone saying: "that version is shit compared to this...." etc etc. Learn to say something is great with making a comparison. I love Rock music  but I manage to say that without saying anything else is shit. I think this is a great song and a great version. Don't have to say which is better, just that they are both good.

    S.... M....

    Scott McGregor yeah, it sucks when people say a certain kind of comment is good, but then they say another kind of comment sucks.

    S.... M....

    I agree. It is so easy to judge. (And so difficult to give it up. )

    S.... M....

    john fursdon you’re so right! It’s very easy to judge, and a lot of fun too.

  88. M.... H....

    why I love youtube / Love this one

  89. e.... ....

    Did they ever prove the claims against DDT?

    e.... ....

    Yes. The Department of Health and Human Services states, "Following
    exposure to high doses, human symptoms can include vomiting, tremors or shakiness,
    and seizures. Laboratory animal studies showed effects on the liver and reproduction."

    https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/pdf/ddt_factsheet.pdf

  90. t.... ....

    Hey, I'm searching for a cover of this song that I heard on the radio every day in the summer of 1996 or 1997. The woman sang the last lines in a very high voice and very low, deep voice, followed by a laugh. Anyone know who sings that version?

    t.... ....

    +Xovvo doesn't sound anything alike? your an idiot because what he's talking about is the original version! lol #clueless!

    t.... ....

    +James From Cambridge
    Just watched the Lilith Faire version, very nicely done.

    t.... ....

    tuxedomark Joni Mitchell. The original one. Hope it helps..cause i just watched it..😄

    t.... ....

    thats the original--Joni Mitchell lol

    t.... ....

    There is also a version by the Counting Crows ft. Vanessa Carlton... I've only heard three versions of it and all three are very good in their own right.

  91. A.... D....

    Counting Crow's version remained $1.50 and I like it better though  Amy's close to my heart.

  92. B.... K....

    Watch the Lennon and Maisy version of this song:)

  93. S.... ....

    Pause it at :40 seconds

  94. G.... V....

    This is better than the original song.

    G.... V....

    Would you say you prefer Elvis Presley's version of Blue Suede Shoes over writer and original singer of it Carl Perkins?

    G.... V....

    That sounds very dictorial.

    G.... V....

    +dolofonos From an artistic standpoint Joni's is better. But if you just completely forget about the content of the lyrics and the fact that the song is supposed to be giving expression to it, i can see someone preferring this version. it's really catchy. One cover of a Joni Mitchel song that I think was actually artistically superior to the original was Cyndi Lauper's cover of Carey.

    G.... V....

    +George Vreeland Hill Apparently, Joni thought Amy's version was better too, and so do I. I'm a huge Joni fan, and generally would find it hard to imagine someone topping one of Joni's original versions, but this one does.

    G.... V....

    +Tom Matthews I guess that makes Joni an idiot, because she said she liked Amy's version better, and I do too. And I'm a Joni fan since day one.

  95. S.... N....

    I love the imagery and this song

  96. m.... ....

    :D Ah yes, 90's animation xD
    I looove Amy's cover

  97. B.... ....

    I absolutely love love love this version. Very clean, crisp, and real.

  98. S.... M....

    counting crows is better...