Big Yellow Taxi
Urban Changes: A Melodic Tale of Lost Paradise and Progress
Lyrics
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
Reference to the destruction of a beautiful place ("paradise") to build a parking lot, reflecting urban development and environmental impact.
With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swinging hot spot
Describes what was built in place of the paradise: a pink hotel, a boutique, and a popular entertainment venue.
Don't it always seem to go
Reflects on the common occurrence of not appreciating something until it's lost or gone.
That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone
Reiterates the idea of not valuing something until it's taken away.
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
Repeats the theme of destruction of paradise to make space for a parking lot.
Oh, bop, bop, bop
Vocal sounds without specific meaning, possibly serving as a refrain or a rhythmic element in the song.
Oh, bop, bop, bop
-They took all the trees, and put em in a tree museum
The trees were removed from their natural environment and put on display for profit in a museum.
And they charged the people a dollar and a half to see them
People were charged money to see these trees in the museum, emphasizing the commercialization of nature.
Don't it always seem to go
Reiterates the theme of underappreciating things until they're lost.
That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone
Reiterates the idea that people often don't realize the value of something until it's gone.
They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot
Restates the destruction of paradise for a parking lot.
Oh, bop, bop, bop
Repetition of vocal sounds, potentially adding emphasis to the message conveyed.
Don't it always seem to go
Reflects on the common occurrence of not valuing something until it's lost.
That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone
Reiterates the theme of underappreciating things until they're lost.
They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot
Repeats the idea of replacing paradise with a parking lot.
Listen, late last night, I heard the screen door slam
Describes an incident of a taxi taking someone away, potentially indicating a loss or departure.
And a big yellow taxi took my girl away
Specifically mentions a big yellow taxi taking away the singer's girl, emphasizing a departure or loss.
Don't it always seem to go
Reiterates the theme of not realizing the value of something until it's gone.
That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone
Emphasizes the idea of not appreciating something until it's lost.
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
Repeats the destruction of paradise for a parking lot.
Don't it always seem to go
Reflects on the common occurrence of not valuing something until it's lost.
That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone
Reiterates the theme of underappreciating things until they're lost.
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
Repeats the idea of replacing paradise with a parking lot.
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