fbpx
Wikipedia

Big Yellow Taxi

"Big Yellow Taxi" is a song written, composed, and originally recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell in 1970, and originally released on her album Ladies of the Canyon. It was a hit in her native Canada (No. 14) as well as Australia (No. 6) and the UK (No. 11). It only reached No. 67 in the US in 1970, but was later a bigger hit there for her in a live version released in 1974, which peaked at No. 24. Charting versions have also been recorded by The Neighborhood (who had the original top US 40 hit with the track in 1970, peaking at No. 29), and most notably by Amy Grant in 1994 and Counting Crows in 2002. The song was also sampled in Janet Jackson's "Got 'til It's Gone" (1997).

"Big Yellow Taxi"
Side A of 1970 Canadian single
Single by Joni Mitchell
from the album Ladies of the Canyon
B-side"Woodstock"
ReleasedApril 1970
Recorded1970
Genre
Length2:16
LabelReprise
Songwriter(s)Joni Mitchell
Producer(s)Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell singles chronology
"Chelsea Morning"
(1969)
"Big Yellow Taxi"
(1970)
"Carey"
(1971)
Official Lyric Video
"Big Yellow Taxi" on YouTube

Mitchell's composition and recording edit

 
Joni Mitchell (pictured in 1983) wrote and recorded the song "Big Yellow Taxi".

In 1996, speaking to journalist Robert Hilburn, Mitchell said this about writing the song:

I wrote 'Big Yellow Taxi' on my first trip to Hawaii. I took a taxi to the hotel and when I woke up the next morning, I threw back the curtains and saw these beautiful green mountains in the distance. Then, I looked down and there was a parking lot as far as the eye could see, and it broke my heart […] this blight on paradise. That's when I sat down and wrote the song.[3]

The song is known for its environmental concern – "They paved paradise to put up a parking lot" and "Hey farmer, farmer, put away that DDT now" – and sentimental sound. The line "They took all the trees, and put 'em in a tree museum / And charged the people a dollar and a half just to see 'em" refers to Foster Botanical Garden in downtown Honolulu, which is a living museum of tropical plants, some rare and endangered.[4][5]

In the song's final verse, the political gives way to the personal. Mitchell recounts the departure of her "old man" in the eponymous "big yellow taxi", which may refer to the old Metro Toronto Police patrol cars, which until 1986 were painted yellow.[6] In many covers the departed one may be interpreted as variously a boyfriend, a husband or a father. The literal interpretation is that he is walking out on the singer by taking a taxi; otherwise it is assumed he is being taken away by the authorities.

Mitchell's original recording was first released as a single and then, as stated above, included on her 1970 album Ladies of the Canyon. A later live version was released in 1974 (1975 in France and Spain) on Miles of Aisles and reached No. 24 on the U.S. charts. Billboard regarded the live version as "more full of life" than any of the singles Mitchell released in a long time.[7] Cash Box called the live version "a great rendition of this excellent lyrical song."[8]

In 1995, to coincide with the song's inclusion in the American sitcom Friends, the song was rereleased as a maxi-single with new remixes in a variety of styles.

The song still receives significant airplay in Canada; in 2005, it was voted No. 9 on CBC's list of the top 50 essential Canadian tracks.

In 2007, Joni Mitchell released the album Shine, which includes a newly recorded, rearranged version of the song.

Music video edit

An animated music video of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" was produced by John Wilson of Fine Arts Films as an animated short for the Sonny and Cher television show in the mid-1970s. The only commercial release of this full-length music video was in the Video Gems home video release on VHS titled John Wilson's Mini Musicals, also released as The Fantastic All-Electric Music Movie. The home video also contains an animated music video of Mitchell's song "Both Sides, Now".

Track listing edit

1995 maxi-single

  1. "Big Yellow Taxi" (Radio Mix)
  2. "Big Yellow Taxi" ("Friends" Album Version)
  3. "Big Yellow Taxi" (Late Night Club Mix)
  4. "Big Yellow Taxi" (N.Y. Cab To Club Mix)
  5. "Big Yellow Taxi" (Double Espresso NRG Mix)
  6. "Big Yellow Taxi" (Tribal Dub)
  7. "Big Yellow Taxi" (Original A Cappella with Guitar)

Charts edit

1970 weekly chart performance for "Big Yellow Taxi"
Chart (1970) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[9] 6
Canada Top Singles (RPM) 14
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[10] 27
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11] 19
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[12] 11
US Billboard Hot 100[13] 67
US Billboard Easy Listening[14] 33
1974–1975 weekly chart performance for "Big Yellow Taxi"
Chart (1974–1975) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[13] 24
US Billboard Easy Listening[14] 27
1996 weekly chart performance for "Big Yellow Taxi"
Chart (1996) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[15] 39

Certifications edit

Certifications for "Big Yellow Taxi"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[16] Platinum 80,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[17] Gold 400,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Amy Grant version edit

"Big Yellow Taxi"
 
UK single cover
Single by Amy Grant
from the album House of Love
ReleasedMarch 1995
Length3:01
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)Joni Mitchell
Producer(s)Keith Thomas
Amy Grant singles chronology
"Say You'll Be Mine"
(1994)
"Big Yellow Taxi"
(1995)
"Oh How the Years Go By"
(1995)
Music video
"Big Yellow Taxi" on YouTube

In 1995, American singer Amy Grant released a cover of "Big Yellow Taxi" to pop and adult contemporary radio in the United States and United Kingdom. The song was the fourth (third in the US) pop radio single from her 1994 album, House of Love. Grant's version featured slightly altered lyrics, which she changed at Joni Mitchell's request.[18]

The cover peaked at No. 67 on the US Billboard Hot 100, No. 25 in Canada, No. 20 on the UK Singles Chart, and No. 4 in Iceland. Grant also released a music video for the single, which was aired in the US and UK and released to home video on Grant's Greatest Videos 1986-2004 DVD. Grant also performed the song for her 2006 concert album, Time Again... Amy Grant Live.

Track listings edit

US CD single

  1. "Big Yellow Taxi" (Paradise Mix)
  2. "Big Yellow Taxi" (Alternative Paradise Mix)
  3. "Big Yellow Taxi" (LP Version)

UK CD single

  1. "Big Yellow Taxi" (Paradise Mix)
  2. "House of Love" (South Street Mix)
  3. "Every Heartbeat" (Piano Mix)
  4. "Lucky One"

Charts edit

Weekly charts edit

Weekly chart performance for Amy Grant's version of "Big Yellow Taxi"
Chart (1995) Peak
position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[19] 25
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[20] 4
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[21] 67
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[22] 4
Scotland (OCC)[23] 17
UK Singles (OCC)[24] 20
US Billboard Hot 100[25] 67
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[26] 18
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[27] 28

Year-end charts edit

Year-end chart performance for Amy Grant's version of "Big Yellow Taxi"
Chart (1995) Position
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[28] 47
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[29] 96
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[30] 38

Release history edit

Release dates and formats for Amy Grant's version of "Big Yellow Taxi"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States March 1995 A&M
United Kingdom June 12, 1995
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
[31]

Counting Crows and Vanessa Carlton version edit

"Big Yellow Taxi"
 
Single by Counting Crows featuring Vanessa Carlton
from the album Hard Candy
ReleasedNovember 11, 2002 (2002-11-11)
GenrePop rock
Length3:47
LabelGeffen
Songwriter(s)Joni Mitchell
Producer(s)Steve Lilywhite
Counting Crows singles chronology
"Miami"
(2002)
"Big Yellow Taxi"
(2002)
"If I Could Give All My Love (Richard Manuel Is Dead)"
(2003)
Vanessa Carlton singles chronology
"Ordinary Day"
(2002)
"Big Yellow Taxi"
(2002)
"Pretty Baby"
(2002)

In 2002, Counting Crows covered the song with backing vocals by Vanessa Carlton. It was included on the soundtrack to the film Two Weeks Notice. Originally, the song was a hidden track on the band's 2002 album Hard Candy, and it did not include Carlton until it was to be featured in the film. New releases of the album included it as a track with her added, as with her in the video (which was shot on Coney Island, Brooklyn, and in nearby Bensonhurst), although Counting Crows and Carlton neither appeared in the video together nor recorded together. This version slightly changed Mitchell's original lyrics to describe when the eponymous taxi "took my girl away", instead of Mitchell's "took away my old man". The original version of the song without Vanessa was included on the album Nolee Mix, which was released to promote the My Scene dolls.

This cover reached No. 42 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and entered the top five on three other Billboard listings. The song became the band's only top-20 single in the United Kingdom, peaking at No. 13, and it reached the top 10 in Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand. The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).

Music video edit

The music video features the Counting Crows performing on a boardwalk in Coney Island, New York. Vanessa Carlton also walks around the streets and sings along to the song. Several people are shown looking back at mirages of past relationships or friendships that they regret losing. Meanwhile, a yellow taxi drives through the streets, calling the attention of the Crows, Carlton, and the former couples. The taxis are transporting mirage of themselves or their former significant other, with some trying to chase after it. The "big yellow taxi [that] took my old man/girl away". One former couple does in fact again meet face to face.

Critical reception edit

The Village Voice named this cover the worst song of the 2000s,[32] and the Village Voice's scathing review of the cover is archived on Joni Mitchell's website.[33] The review derided the cover as having paved paradise (Mitchell's original song) and put up a parking lot.

Adam, we don't know if you misunderstood the song's anti-globalization, anti-industrialization, anti-corporation message, or just chose to ignore it so you could get free Frappucinos for life. But we're gonna hip you to a harsh reality. Seriously, you know the line about how they "paved paradise and put up a parking lot?" Like how they replaced something beautiful with something cold and heartless and commercial? That's you. You're the parking lot, motherfucker. You drove your shitty steamroller over something everyone loved so you could pander your sensitive pussyhound whine to people waiting in line at the Carl's Jr. They paved Nirvana and put up a Counting Crow. Argh!

Additionally, NME also included this cover on its list of the worst songs of the 2000s,[34] and Ultimate Classic Rock highlighted this song in its Terrible Classic Rock Covers series.[35] In April 2022, American Songwriter ranked "Big Yellow Taxi" at number 10 on their list of "The Top 10 Counting Crows Songs".[36]

Track listing edit

Australasian CD single[37]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Big Yellow Taxi" (featuring Vanessa Carlton)Joni Mitchell3:48
2."Big Yellow Taxi"Mitchell3:56
3."If I Could Give All My Love (Richard Manuel Is Dead)" (live and acoustic)Adam Duritz4:00
4."Hard Candy" (live and acoustic)Duritz3:41
5."Big Yellow Taxi" (enhanced video)  

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Certifications for Counting Crows' version of "Big Yellow Taxi"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[69] Platinum 70,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[70] Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[71] Gold 500,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history edit

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States November 11, 2002 Hot adult contemporary radio Geffen [72]
Australia January 13, 2003 CD [73]
United States Triple A radio [74]
February 3, 2003 Contemporary hit radio [75]
United Kingdom
  • CD
  • cassette
[76]

Other notable cover versions edit

According to Mitchell's official Website, "'Big Yellow Taxi' has been recorded by 556 other artists" as of June 5, 2023.[77] Some notable versions include:

References edit

  1. ^ Jason Hanley (November 26, 2014). We Rock! (Music Lab): A Fun Family Guide for Exploring Rock Music History: From Elvis and the Beatles to Ray Charles and The Ramones, Includes Bios, Historical Context, Extensive Playlists, and Rocking Activities for the Whole Family!. Quarry Books. p. 132. ISBN 978-1-62788-220-0.
  2. ^ Madelena Gonzalez (2005). Fiction After the Fatwa: Salman Rushdie and the Charm of Catastrophe. Rodopi. p. 191. ISBN 90-420-1962-X.
  3. ^ Hilburn, Robert (December 8, 1996). "Both Sides, Later". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, CA. ISSN 0458-3035. OCLC 3638237. Retrieved May 19, 2012. With the release of two 'best of' albums, Joni Mitchell looks back at her hits--and misses--and the artistry that's earning renewed recognition.
  4. ^ Mattison, Shane. . Lyric Glossary. JoniMitchell.com. Archived from the original on June 16, 2008. Retrieved May 15, 2008.
  5. ^ Donnelly, Dave (July 16, 1997). "They pave it, then you pay for it". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. p. B–10. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  6. ^ "Getting Around". A History of Policing in Toronto. Toronto Police Service. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  7. ^ "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard. December 14, 1974. p. 66. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  8. ^ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. December 7, 1974. p. 18. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  9. ^ David Kent (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  10. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Joni Mitchell" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  11. ^ "Joni Mitchell – Big Yellow Taxi" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  12. ^ "Joni Mitchell | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  13. ^ a b Bronson, Fred (March 29, 2003). "Chart Beat". Billboard. p. 70.
  14. ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 166.
  15. ^ "Joni Mitchell Chart History: Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  16. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Joni Mitchell – Big Yellow Taxi". Music Canada. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  17. ^ "British single certifications – Joni Mitchell – Big Yellow Taxi". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  18. ^ Gubbins, Teresa (September 4, 1994). "Life In The Slow Lane". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. ISSN 1085-6706. OCLC 43891617. from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 19, 2012.
  19. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9137." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  20. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 6904." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  21. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 27. July 8, 1995. p. 12. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  22. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (2.7. '95 – 15.7. '95)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). July 1, 1995. p. 20. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  23. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  24. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  25. ^ "Amy Grant Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  26. ^ "Amy Grant Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  27. ^ "Amy Grant Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  28. ^ "RPM Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1995". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  29. ^ "Árslistinn 1995". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1996. p. 25. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  30. ^ "1995 The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 51. December 23, 1995. p. YE-80. (PDF) from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  31. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. June 10, 1995. p. 31.
  32. ^ . villagevoice.com. December 22, 2009. Archived from the original on March 17, 2010. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  33. ^ "Joni Mitchell Library - the 50 Worst Songs of the '00s: Village Voice, December 22, 2009".
  34. ^ Milton, Jamie (October 17, 2017). "The 20 worst songs of the '00s". nme.com. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  35. ^ "Counting Crows, "Big Yellow Taxi" – Terrible Classic Rock Covers". ultimateclassicrock.com. September 25, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  36. ^ Uitti, Jacob (April 29, 2022). "The Top 10 Counting Crows Songs". American Songwriter. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  37. ^ Big Yellow Taxi (Australasian CD single liner notes). Counting Crows. Geffen Records. 2003. 497 830-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  38. ^ "Counting Crows feat. Vanessa Carlton – Big Yellow Taxi". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  39. ^ "Counting Crows feat. Vanessa Carlton – Big Yellow Taxi" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  40. ^ "Counting Crows feat. Vanessa Carlton – Big Yellow Taxi" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  41. ^ (PDF). Cross Canada Countdown. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 7, 2005. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  42. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 21, no. 11. March 8, 2003. p. 11. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  43. ^ "European Radio Top 50" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 12. April 5, 2003. p. 17. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved March 15, 2024 – via World Radio History.
  44. ^ "Counting Crows feat. Vanessa Carlton – Big Yellow Taxi" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  45. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  46. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Big Yellow Taxi". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  47. ^ "Latvian Airplay Top 500 of 2003" (in Latvian). Lanet.lv. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  48. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 8, 2003" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  49. ^ "Counting Crows feat. Vanessa Carlton – Big Yellow Taxi" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  50. ^ "Counting Crows feat. Vanessa Carlton – Big Yellow Taxi". Top 40 Singles.
  51. ^ (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on February 18, 2005. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  52. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  53. ^ "Counting Crows feat. Vanessa Carlton – Big Yellow Taxi". Singles Top 100.
  54. ^ "Counting Crows feat. Vanessa Carlton – Big Yellow Taxi". Swiss Singles Chart.
  55. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  56. ^ "Counting Crows Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  57. ^ "Counting Crows Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  58. ^ "Counting Crows Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  59. ^ "Counting Crows Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  60. ^ "Counting Crows Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  61. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2003". ARIA. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  62. ^ . Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 2003. Archived from the original on June 2, 2004. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  63. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2003". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  64. ^ "End of Year Charts 2003". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  65. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2003" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  66. ^ a b "Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 52. December 27, 2003. p. YE-80. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  67. ^ "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Triple-A Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 11, no. 51. December 19, 2003. p. 47.
  68. ^ "Year in Music & Touring: Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 52. December 25, 2004. p. YE-74. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  69. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2003 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  70. ^ "British single certifications – Counting Crows ft V Carlton – Big Yellow Taxi". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  71. ^ "American single certifications – Counting Crows – Big Yellow Taxi". Recording Industry Association of America.
  72. ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1478. November 8, 2002. p. 34. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  73. ^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 13th January 2003" (PDF). ARIA. January 13, 2003. p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 6, 2003. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  74. ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1486. January 10, 2003. p. 23. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  75. ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1493. February 28, 2003. p. 31. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  76. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting 3 February 2003: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. February 1, 2003. p. 20. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  77. ^ "Big Yellow Taxi - lyrics". jonimitchell.com. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  78. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955–2012. Record Research. p. 604.
  79. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 213. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  80. ^ "Dylan | The Official Bob Dylan Site". www.bobdylan.com. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  81. ^ "Big Yellow Taxi - The Bob Dylan Project". thebobdylanproject.com. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  82. ^ Landau, Jon (November 19, 1973). "Dylan". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  83. ^ "BBC - Music - Review of Labrinth - Electronic Earth". from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2012.

External links edit

  • Lyrics for original version at jonimitchell.com
  • Lyrics for 2007 version at jonimitchell.com
  • Traffic Jam Mix / Friends Soundtrack at AllMusic
  • Traffic Jam Mix Chart Position at Billboard Hot Dance Club Play

yellow, taxi, song, written, composed, originally, recorded, canadian, singer, songwriter, joni, mitchell, 1970, originally, released, album, ladies, canyon, native, canada, well, australia, only, reached, 1970, later, bigger, there, live, version, released, 1. Big Yellow Taxi is a song written composed and originally recorded by Canadian singer songwriter Joni Mitchell in 1970 and originally released on her album Ladies of the Canyon It was a hit in her native Canada No 14 as well as Australia No 6 and the UK No 11 It only reached No 67 in the US in 1970 but was later a bigger hit there for her in a live version released in 1974 which peaked at No 24 Charting versions have also been recorded by The Neighborhood who had the original top US 40 hit with the track in 1970 peaking at No 29 and most notably by Amy Grant in 1994 and Counting Crows in 2002 The song was also sampled in Janet Jackson s Got til It s Gone 1997 Big Yellow Taxi Side A of 1970 Canadian singleSingle by Joni Mitchellfrom the album Ladies of the CanyonB side Woodstock ReleasedApril 1970Recorded1970GenreFolk rock 1 pop folk 2 Length2 16LabelRepriseSongwriter s Joni MitchellProducer s Joni MitchellJoni Mitchell singles chronology Chelsea Morning 1969 Big Yellow Taxi 1970 Carey 1971 Official Lyric Video Big Yellow Taxi on YouTube Contents 1 Mitchell s composition and recording 2 Music video 3 Track listing 4 Charts 5 Certifications 6 Amy Grant version 6 1 Track listings 6 2 Charts 6 2 1 Weekly charts 6 2 2 Year end charts 6 3 Release history 7 Counting Crows and Vanessa Carlton version 7 1 Music video 7 2 Critical reception 7 3 Track listing 7 4 Charts 7 4 1 Weekly charts 7 4 2 Year end charts 7 5 Certifications 7 6 Release history 8 Other notable cover versions 9 References 10 External linksMitchell s composition and recording edit nbsp Joni Mitchell pictured in 1983 wrote and recorded the song Big Yellow Taxi In 1996 speaking to journalist Robert Hilburn Mitchell said this about writing the song I wrote Big Yellow Taxi on my first trip to Hawaii I took a taxi to the hotel and when I woke up the next morning I threw back the curtains and saw these beautiful green mountains in the distance Then I looked down and there was a parking lot as far as the eye could see and it broke my heart this blight on paradise That s when I sat down and wrote the song 3 The song is known for its environmental concern They paved paradise to put up a parking lot and Hey farmer farmer put away that DDT now and sentimental sound The line They took all the trees and put em in a tree museum And charged the people a dollar and a half just to see em refers to Foster Botanical Garden in downtown Honolulu which is a living museum of tropical plants some rare and endangered 4 5 In the song s final verse the political gives way to the personal Mitchell recounts the departure of her old man in the eponymous big yellow taxi which may refer to the old Metro Toronto Police patrol cars which until 1986 were painted yellow 6 In many covers the departed one may be interpreted as variously a boyfriend a husband or a father The literal interpretation is that he is walking out on the singer by taking a taxi otherwise it is assumed he is being taken away by the authorities Mitchell s original recording was first released as a single and then as stated above included on her 1970 album Ladies of the Canyon A later live version was released in 1974 1975 in France and Spain on Miles of Aisles and reached No 24 on the U S charts Billboard regarded the live version as more full of life than any of the singles Mitchell released in a long time 7 Cash Box called the live version a great rendition of this excellent lyrical song 8 In 1995 to coincide with the song s inclusion in the American sitcom Friends the song was rereleased as a maxi single with new remixes in a variety of styles The song still receives significant airplay in Canada in 2005 it was voted No 9 on CBC s list of the top 50 essential Canadian tracks In 2007 Joni Mitchell released the album Shine which includes a newly recorded rearranged version of the song Music video editAn animated music video of Joni Mitchell s Big Yellow Taxi was produced by John Wilson of Fine Arts Films as an animated short for the Sonny and Cher television show in the mid 1970s The only commercial release of this full length music video was in the Video Gems home video release on VHS titled John Wilson s Mini Musicals also released as The Fantastic All Electric Music Movie The home video also contains an animated music video of Mitchell s song Both Sides Now Track listing edit1995 maxi single Big Yellow Taxi Radio Mix Big Yellow Taxi Friends Album Version Big Yellow Taxi Late Night Club Mix Big Yellow Taxi N Y Cab To Club Mix Big Yellow Taxi Double Espresso NRG Mix Big Yellow Taxi Tribal Dub Big Yellow Taxi Original A Cappella with Guitar Charts edit1970 weekly chart performance for Big Yellow Taxi Chart 1970 Peakposition Australia Kent Music Report 9 6 Canada Top Singles RPM 14 Netherlands Dutch Top 40 10 27 Netherlands Single Top 100 11 19 UK Singles Official Charts Company 12 11 US Billboard Hot 100 13 67 US Billboard Easy Listening 14 33 1974 1975 weekly chart performance for Big Yellow Taxi Chart 1974 1975 Peakposition US Billboard Hot 100 13 24 US Billboard Easy Listening 14 27 1996 weekly chart performance for Big Yellow Taxi Chart 1996 Peakposition US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play 15 39Certifications editCertifications for Big Yellow Taxi Region Certification Certified units sales Canada Music Canada 16 Platinum 80 000 United Kingdom BPI 17 Gold 400 000 Sales streaming figures based on certification alone Amy Grant version edit Big Yellow Taxi nbsp UK single coverSingle by Amy Grantfrom the album House of LoveReleasedMarch 1995Length3 01LabelA amp MSongwriter s Joni MitchellProducer s Keith ThomasAmy Grant singles chronology Say You ll Be Mine 1994 Big Yellow Taxi 1995 Oh How the Years Go By 1995 Music video Big Yellow Taxi on YouTube In 1995 American singer Amy Grant released a cover of Big Yellow Taxi to pop and adult contemporary radio in the United States and United Kingdom The song was the fourth third in the US pop radio single from her 1994 album House of Love Grant s version featured slightly altered lyrics which she changed at Joni Mitchell s request 18 The cover peaked at No 67 on the US Billboard Hot 100 No 25 in Canada No 20 on the UK Singles Chart and No 4 in Iceland Grant also released a music video for the single which was aired in the US and UK and released to home video on Grant s Greatest Videos 1986 2004 DVD Grant also performed the song for her 2006 concert album Time Again Amy Grant Live Track listings edit US CD single Big Yellow Taxi Paradise Mix Big Yellow Taxi Alternative Paradise Mix Big Yellow Taxi LP Version UK CD single Big Yellow Taxi Paradise Mix House of Love South Street Mix Every Heartbeat Piano Mix Lucky One Charts edit Weekly charts edit Weekly chart performance for Amy Grant s version of Big Yellow Taxi Chart 1995 Peakposition Canada Top Singles RPM 19 25 Canada Adult Contemporary RPM 20 4 Europe Eurochart Hot 100 21 67 Iceland Islenski Listinn Topp 40 22 4 Scotland OCC 23 17 UK Singles OCC 24 20 US Billboard Hot 100 25 67 US Adult Contemporary Billboard 26 18 US Adult Top 40 Billboard 27 28 Year end charts edit Year end chart performance for Amy Grant s version of Big Yellow Taxi Chart 1995 Position Canada Adult Contemporary RPM 28 47 Iceland Islenski Listinn Topp 40 29 96 US Adult Contemporary Billboard 30 38 Release history edit Release dates and formats for Amy Grant s version of Big Yellow Taxi Region Date Format s Label s Ref United States March 1995 A amp M United Kingdom June 12 1995 7 inch vinylCDcassette 31 Counting Crows and Vanessa Carlton version edit Big Yellow Taxi nbsp Single by Counting Crows featuring Vanessa Carltonfrom the album Hard CandyReleasedNovember 11 2002 2002 11 11 GenrePop rockLength3 47LabelGeffenSongwriter s Joni MitchellProducer s Steve LilywhiteCounting Crows singles chronology Miami 2002 Big Yellow Taxi 2002 If I Could Give All My Love Richard Manuel Is Dead 2003 Vanessa Carlton singles chronology Ordinary Day 2002 Big Yellow Taxi 2002 Pretty Baby 2002 In 2002 Counting Crows covered the song with backing vocals by Vanessa Carlton It was included on the soundtrack to the film Two Weeks Notice Originally the song was a hidden track on the band s 2002 album Hard Candy and it did not include Carlton until it was to be featured in the film New releases of the album included it as a track with her added as with her in the video which was shot on Coney Island Brooklyn and in nearby Bensonhurst although Counting Crows and Carlton neither appeared in the video together nor recorded together This version slightly changed Mitchell s original lyrics to describe when the eponymous taxi took my girl away instead of Mitchell s took away my old man The original version of the song without Vanessa was included on the album Nolee Mix which was released to promote the My Scene dolls This cover reached No 42 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and entered the top five on three other Billboard listings The song became the band s only top 20 single in the United Kingdom peaking at No 13 and it reached the top 10 in Australia Ireland and New Zealand The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America RIAA and platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association ARIA Music video edit The music video features the Counting Crows performing on a boardwalk in Coney Island New York Vanessa Carlton also walks around the streets and sings along to the song Several people are shown looking back at mirages of past relationships or friendships that they regret losing Meanwhile a yellow taxi drives through the streets calling the attention of the Crows Carlton and the former couples The taxis are transporting mirage of themselves or their former significant other with some trying to chase after it The big yellow taxi that took my old man girl away One former couple does in fact again meet face to face Critical reception edit The Village Voice named this cover the worst song of the 2000s 32 and the Village Voice s scathing review of the cover is archived on Joni Mitchell s website 33 The review derided the cover as having paved paradise Mitchell s original song and put up a parking lot Adam we don t know if you misunderstood the song s anti globalization anti industrialization anti corporation message or just chose to ignore it so you could get free Frappucinos for life But we re gonna hip you to a harsh reality Seriously you know the line about how they paved paradise and put up a parking lot Like how they replaced something beautiful with something cold and heartless and commercial That s you You re the parking lot motherfucker You drove your shitty steamroller over something everyone loved so you could pander your sensitive pussyhound whine to people waiting in line at the Carl s Jr They paved Nirvana and put up a Counting Crow Argh Additionally NME also included this cover on its list of the worst songs of the 2000s 34 and Ultimate Classic Rock highlighted this song in its Terrible Classic Rock Covers series 35 In April 2022 American Songwriter ranked Big Yellow Taxi at number 10 on their list of The Top 10 Counting Crows Songs 36 Track listing edit Australasian CD single 37 No TitleWriter s Length1 Big Yellow Taxi featuring Vanessa Carlton Joni Mitchell3 482 Big Yellow Taxi Mitchell3 563 If I Could Give All My Love Richard Manuel Is Dead live and acoustic Adam Duritz4 004 Hard Candy live and acoustic Duritz3 415 Big Yellow Taxi enhanced video Charts edit Weekly charts edit Weekly chart performance for Counting Crows version of Big Yellow Taxi Chart 2003 Peakposition Australia ARIA 38 3 Austria O3 Austria Top 40 39 40 Belgium Ultratop 50 Flanders 40 33 Canada CHR Nielsen BDS 41 12 Europe Eurochart Hot 100 42 43 European Radio Top 50 Music amp Media 43 7 Germany Official German Charts 44 67 Hungary Radios Top 40 45 7 Ireland IRMA 46 7 Latvia Latvijas Top 40 47 4 Netherlands Dutch Top 40 48 19 Netherlands Single Top 100 49 23 New Zealand Recorded Music NZ 50 4 Romania Romanian Top 100 51 23 Scotland OCC 52 10 Sweden Sverigetopplistan 53 55 Switzerland Schweizer Hitparade 54 63 UK Singles OCC 55 16 US Billboard Hot 100 56 42 US Adult Alternative Songs Billboard 57 2 US Adult Contemporary Billboard 58 5 US Adult Top 40 Billboard 59 5 US Mainstream Top 40 Billboard 60 30 Year end charts edit 2003 year end chart performance for Counting Crows version of Big Yellow Taxi Chart 2003 Position Australia ARIA 61 15 Ireland IRMA 62 52 Netherlands Dutch Top 40 63 93 New Zealand Recorded Music NZ 64 11 UK Singles OCC 65 183 US Adult Contemporary Billboard 66 13 US Adult Top 40 Billboard 66 9 US Triple A Billboard 67 5 2004 year end chart performance for Counting Crows version of Big Yellow Taxi Chart 2004 Position US Adult Contemporary Billboard 68 16 Certifications edit Certifications for Counting Crows version of Big Yellow Taxi Region Certification Certified units sales Australia ARIA 69 Platinum 70 000 United Kingdom BPI 70 Silver 200 000 United States RIAA 71 Gold 500 000 Sales figures based on certification alone Shipments figures based on certification alone Sales streaming figures based on certification alone Release history edit Region Date Format s Label s Ref United States November 11 2002 Hot adult contemporary radio Geffen 72 Australia January 13 2003 CD 73 United States Triple A radio 74 February 3 2003 Contemporary hit radio 75 United Kingdom CDcassette 76 Other notable cover versions editAccording to Mitchell s official Website Big Yellow Taxi has been recorded by 556 other artists as of June 5 2023 77 Some notable versions include A single version by Chicago band the Neighborhood reached the Billboard Top 40 chart No 29 in the summer of 1970 78 It also peaked at number 19 in Australia 79 A cover of the song was featured on the 1973 album Dylan by Bob Dylan 80 81 It received unfavorable critical reception 82 The punk band Pinhead Gunpowder covered the song on their 1994 album Jump Salty In 1996 Big Yellow Taxi Traffic Jam Mix peaked on the U S dance charts at No 39 and was part of the soundtrack album to Friends Music from the TV Series This song is sampled by Labrinth in the song Sundown from his debut 2012 album Electronic Earth 83 Lyrics from this song are referenced in the Manfred Mann s Earth Band song Lies Through the 80s from the album Chance where in the chorus they sing Pull up the trees and put up a parking lot References edit Jason Hanley November 26 2014 We Rock Music Lab A Fun Family Guide for Exploring Rock Music History From Elvis and the Beatles to Ray Charles and The Ramones Includes Bios Historical Context Extensive Playlists and Rocking Activities for the Whole Family Quarry Books p 132 ISBN 978 1 62788 220 0 Madelena Gonzalez 2005 Fiction After the Fatwa Salman Rushdie and the Charm of Catastrophe Rodopi p 191 ISBN 90 420 1962 X Hilburn Robert December 8 1996 Both Sides Later Los Angeles Times Los Angeles CA ISSN 0458 3035 OCLC 3638237 Retrieved May 19 2012 With the release of two best of albums Joni Mitchell looks back at her hits and misses and the artistry that s earning renewed recognition Mattison Shane Tree museum Lyric Glossary JoniMitchell com Archived from the original on June 16 2008 Retrieved May 15 2008 Donnelly Dave July 16 1997 They pave it then you pay for it Honolulu Star Bulletin p B 10 Retrieved March 27 2023 Getting Around A History of Policing in Toronto Toronto Police Service Retrieved July 23 2011 Top Single Picks PDF Billboard December 14 1974 p 66 Retrieved July 20 2020 CashBox Record Reviews PDF Cash Box December 7 1974 p 18 Retrieved December 11 2021 David Kent 1993 Australian Chart Book 1970 1992 Australian Chart Book St Ives N S W ISBN 0 646 11917 6 Nederlandse Top 40 Joni Mitchell in Dutch Dutch Top 40 Retrieved March 29 2023 Joni Mitchell Big Yellow Taxi in Dutch Single Top 100 Joni Mitchell full Official Chart History Official Charts Company Retrieved April 22 2021 a b Bronson Fred March 29 2003 Chart Beat Billboard p 70 a b Whitburn Joel 1993 Top Adult Contemporary 1961 1993 Record Research p 166 Joni Mitchell Chart History Dance Club Songs Billboard Retrieved April 22 2021 Canadian single certifications Joni Mitchell Big Yellow Taxi Music Canada Retrieved April 28 2022 British single certifications Joni Mitchell Big Yellow Taxi British Phonographic Industry Retrieved April 21 2023 Gubbins Teresa September 4 1994 Life In The Slow Lane Chicago Tribune Chicago Illinois ISSN 1085 6706 OCLC 43891617 Archived from the original on March 4 2016 Retrieved May 19 2012 Top RPM Singles Issue 9137 RPM Library and Archives Canada Retrieved May 30 2020 Top RPM Adult Contemporary Issue 6904 RPM Library and Archives Canada Retrieved May 30 2020 Eurochart Hot 100 Singles PDF Music amp Media Vol 12 no 27 July 8 1995 p 12 Retrieved May 30 2020 Islenski Listinn Topp 40 2 7 95 15 7 95 Dagbladid Visir in Icelandic July 1 1995 p 20 Retrieved May 30 2020 Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company Retrieved May 30 2020 Official Singles Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company Retrieved May 30 2020 Amy Grant Chart History Hot 100 Billboard Retrieved May 30 2020 Amy Grant Chart History Adult Contemporary Billboard Retrieved May 30 2020 Amy Grant Chart History Adult Pop Songs Billboard Retrieved May 30 2020 RPM Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1995 RPM Library and Archives Canada Retrieved May 30 2020 Arslistinn 1995 Dagbladid Visir in Icelandic January 2 1996 p 25 Retrieved May 30 2020 1995 The Year in Music PDF Billboard Vol 107 no 51 December 23 1995 p YE 80 Archived PDF from the original on June 28 2021 Retrieved August 26 2021 New Releases Singles Music Week June 10 1995 p 31 The 50 Worst Songs of the 00s F2K No 1 Counting Crows ft Vanessa Carlton Big Yellow Taxi villagevoice com December 22 2009 Archived from the original on March 17 2010 Retrieved June 2 2020 Joni Mitchell Library the 50 Worst Songs of the 00s Village Voice December 22 2009 Milton Jamie October 17 2017 The 20 worst songs of the 00s nme com Retrieved June 2 2020 Counting Crows Big Yellow Taxi Terrible Classic Rock Covers ultimateclassicrock com September 25 2013 Retrieved June 2 2020 Uitti Jacob April 29 2022 The Top 10 Counting Crows Songs American Songwriter Retrieved April 30 2022 Big Yellow Taxi Australasian CD single liner notes Counting Crows Geffen Records 2003 497 830 2 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Counting Crows feat Vanessa Carlton Big Yellow Taxi ARIA Top 50 Singles Counting Crows feat Vanessa Carlton Big Yellow Taxi in German O3 Austria Top 40 Counting Crows feat Vanessa Carlton Big Yellow Taxi in Dutch Ultratop 50 Canadian Top 20 in 2003 PDF Cross Canada Countdown Archived from the original PDF on April 7 2005 Retrieved December 11 2023 Eurochart Hot 100 Singles PDF Music amp Media Vol 21 no 11 March 8 2003 p 11 Retrieved May 13 2020 European Radio Top 50 PDF Music amp Media Vol 16 no 12 April 5 2003 p 17 OCLC 29800226 Retrieved March 15 2024 via World Radio History Counting Crows feat Vanessa Carlton Big Yellow Taxi in German GfK Entertainment charts Archivum Slagerlistak MAHASZ in Hungarian Radios Top 40 jatszasi lista Magyar Hanglemezkiadok Szovetsege The Irish Charts Search Results Big Yellow Taxi Irish Singles Chart Retrieved September 15 2018 Latvian Airplay Top 500 of 2003 in Latvian Lanet lv Retrieved March 15 2024 Nederlandse Top 40 week 8 2003 in Dutch Dutch Top 40 Retrieved September 15 2018 Counting Crows feat Vanessa Carlton Big Yellow Taxi in Dutch Single Top 100 Counting Crows feat Vanessa Carlton Big Yellow Taxi Top 40 Singles Arhiva romanian top 100 Editia 21 saptamina 2 06 8 06 2003 in Romanian Romanian Top 100 Archived from the original on February 18 2005 Retrieved May 13 2020 Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company Retrieved September 15 2018 Counting Crows feat Vanessa Carlton Big Yellow Taxi Singles Top 100 Counting Crows feat Vanessa Carlton Big Yellow Taxi Swiss Singles Chart Official Singles Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company Retrieved September 15 2018 Counting Crows Chart History Hot 100 Billboard Retrieved September 17 2010 Counting Crows Chart History Adult Alternative Songs Billboard Retrieved May 13 2020 Counting Crows Chart History Adult Contemporary Billboard Retrieved September 17 2010 Counting Crows Chart History Adult Pop Songs Billboard Retrieved September 17 2010 Counting Crows Chart History Pop Songs Billboard Retrieved September 17 2010 ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2003 ARIA Retrieved October 22 2020 Top 100 Songs of 2003 Raidio Teilifis Eireann 2003 Archived from the original on June 2 2004 Retrieved March 16 2022 Top 100 Jaaroverzicht van 2003 Dutch Top 40 Retrieved March 30 2020 End of Year Charts 2003 Recorded Music NZ Retrieved May 13 2020 The Official UK Singles Chart 2003 PDF UKChartsPlus Retrieved September 15 2018 a b Year in Music Billboard Vol 115 no 52 December 27 2003 p YE 80 Retrieved December 19 2023 The Year in Charts 2003 Most Played Triple A Songs Airplay Monitor Vol 11 no 51 December 19 2003 p 47 Year in Music amp Touring Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks Billboard Vol 116 no 52 December 25 2004 p YE 74 Retrieved December 19 2023 ARIA Charts Accreditations 2003 Singles PDF Australian Recording Industry Association British single certifications Counting Crows ft V Carlton Big Yellow Taxi British Phonographic Industry Retrieved June 4 2021 American single certifications Counting Crows Big Yellow Taxi Recording Industry Association of America Going for Adds PDF Radio amp Records No 1478 November 8 2002 p 34 Retrieved May 7 2021 The ARIA Report New Releases Singles Week Commencing 13th January 2003 PDF ARIA January 13 2003 p 23 Archived from the original PDF on January 6 2003 Retrieved May 7 2021 Going for Adds PDF Radio amp Records No 1486 January 10 2003 p 23 Retrieved May 7 2021 Going for Adds PDF Radio amp Records No 1493 February 28 2003 p 31 Retrieved May 7 2021 New Releases For Week Starting 3 February 2003 Singles PDF Music Week February 1 2003 p 20 Retrieved September 2 2021 Big Yellow Taxi lyrics jonimitchell com Retrieved June 5 2023 Whitburn Joel 2013 Joel Whitburn s Top Pop Singles 14th Edition 1955 2012 Record Research p 604 Kent David 1993 Australian Chart Book 1970 1992 illustrated ed St Ives N S W Australian Chart Book p 213 ISBN 0 646 11917 6 Dylan The Official Bob Dylan Site www bobdylan com Retrieved September 27 2021 Big Yellow Taxi The Bob Dylan Project thebobdylanproject com Retrieved September 27 2021 Landau Jon November 19 1973 Dylan Rolling Stone Retrieved September 27 2021 BBC Music Review of Labrinth Electronic Earth Archived from the original on January 9 2016 Retrieved April 2 2012 External links editLyrics for original version at jonimitchell com Lyrics for 2007 version at jonimitchell com Traffic Jam Mix Friends Soundtrack at AllMusic Traffic Jam Mix Chart Position at Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Big Yellow Taxi amp oldid 1213936239, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.