Big Yellow Taxi

Words & Music by:

Joni Mitchell

 

This was originally played in open E tuning [E  B  E  G#  B  E], allowing for a straight barre for most of the chords.  A full transcription of the open tuning version is in the November 2006 issue of Acoustic Guitar.  To approximate it in standard tuning, you can play around with adding the 6 to the chords or alternate I & IV in rhythm.

 

A   A6   A   A6   A  |  B   B6   B   B6   B

Aadd9/E  E7  Aadd9/E  E  [3x]

 

A                                        E

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.

       A             B              E

With a pink hotel, a boutique and a swinging hot spot.

 

CHORUS:

E5              EM7                 Aadd9/E

Don't it always seem to go that you don't know

                          E

What you've got 'til it's gone?

     A                  B                E

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.

 

They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum.

And they charged all the people a dollar and a half just to see them

 

CHORUS:

 

Hey, Farmer, Farmer, put away that D.D.T., 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:  [2x]