Big Yellow Taxi

Chords
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Original
Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams
“Big Yellow Taxi” – Counting Crows
This is my take on the tab. I use multiple G styles because the song has certain accents that sound good when
replicated.
Chords:
G 320003 or 3X0003
G* 320013 or 3X0013
G** 320033
Cadd9x32033
D/F#200232
[Verse]
Cadd9   D/F#   G  G* G  
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
Cadd9   D/F#   G  G* G  
With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swingin' hot spot
[Chorus]
G**
Don't it always seem to go
That you Cadd9don't know what you got 'til it's gone
Cadd9   D/F#   G  G* G  
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
GOoooh, bop bop bop
Cadd9Ooooh, bop bop bop
[Verse]
Cadd9   G  G* G  
They took all the trees, and put em in a tree museum
Cadd9   G  G*
And they charged the people a dollar and a half to see them
GNo, no, no
[Chorus]
G**
Don't it always seem to go
That you Cadd9don't know what you got 'til it's gone
Cadd9   D/F#   G  G* G  
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
GOoooh, bop bop bop
Cadd9Ooooh, bop bop bop
[Verse]
Cadd9   G  G* G  
Hey farmer, farmer, put away your DDT
GI don't care about sCadd9pots on my apples
G  G*
Leave me the birds and the bees
GPlease
[Chorus]
G**
Don't it always seem to go
That you Cadd9don't know what you got 'til it's gone
Cadd9   D/F#   G  G* G  
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
Cadd9   D/F#   G  G* G  
Hey now, they paved paradise to put up a parking lot
Why not?
GOoooh, bop bop bop
Cadd9Ooooh, bop bop bop
[Solo]
Cadd9   G  G* Gx3
Cadd9
[Bridge]
G**
Listen, late last night, I heard the screen door slam
Cadd9   D/F#  G**
And a big yellow taxi took my girl away
[Chorus]
G**
Don't it always seem to go
That you Cadd9don't know what you got 'til it's gone
Cadd9   D/F#   G  G* G  
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
Well, Gdon't it always seem to go
That you Cadd9don't know what you got 'til it's gone
Cadd9   D/F#   G  G*
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
GWhy not?
Cadd9   D/F#   G  G*
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
GHey hey hey
Cadd9   D/F#   G  G*
Paved paradise and put up a parking lot
GOoooh, bop bop bop
Cadd9Ooooh, bop bop bop
[Bridge]
Cadd9I don't wanna give it
Why you wanna give it
Why you wanna giGve it all away
Hey, hey, hey
Cadd9Now you wanna give it
I should wanna give it
Now you wanna Ggive it all away
Cadd9I don't wanna give it
Why you wanna give it
Why you wanna Ggive it all away
Hey, hey, Cadd9givin it all,
D/F#givin it all....GawayCadd9  
[Outro]
Why do you want meG?Cadd9  
Why do you want meG?
Cadd9They paved paradise and put up D/F#a parking lotG  
Cadd9 G
All chords in this song (3)

The story behind the song

Counting Crows brought their distinctive sound to this song, originally written and recorded by Joni Mitchell. The song came to Mitchell on her first trip to Hawaii, after she looked out from her hotel room to see both beautiful green mountains and a parking lot. This stark contrast inspired the lyrics, which reflect on the destruction of nature for development. It's a poignant reflection on appreciating what you have before it's gone.

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About Big Yellow Taxi Chords by Counting Crows

Learn how to play Big Yellow Taxi by Counting Crows with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Big Yellow Taxi chords”, “Big Yellow Taxi guitar chords”, or “Counting Crows Big Yellow Taxi chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Big Yellow Taxi chords and for experienced players who want accurate Big Yellow Taxi lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, Cadd9, D/F#.

FAQ — Big Yellow Taxi by Counting Crows

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Is "Big Yellow Taxi" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Big Yellow Taxi" in?

The chords for "Big Yellow Taxi" show the original chord names (including G, Cadd9, D/F#). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.