Joni Mitchell - Big Yellow Taxi (REACTION)

[@izzonj]

One of the amazing things about Joni is that she was a self-taught musician. She didn't know any music theory and just made up chords and wrote melodies that sounded good to her and perfectly carried her feelings.

[@lesblatnyak5947]

And a pitch perfect voice.

[@dolcenotte]

Which is wild to me because a lot of her songs are not exactly simple to play. Also @La and @Che, Joni is the one that Robert Plant wrote Going to California about.

[@ammaleslie509]

She made up her own GUITAR TUNINGS! that's genius right there

[@Wordsmyth8]

Genius.

[@healthybrand]

Prince required venues to play Joni tunes as his pre-concert house music. That tells you a lot. I love Joni, and RIP Prince, you left us way too soon.

[@thetheRedundant]

She wrote this song while vacationing in Hawaii. She looked outside and saw all the ugly pavement contrast with Hawaii’s beautiful scenery. Also, Joni made a cameo in Janet’s “Got til’ it’s Gone” music video.

[@stillstanding8286]

Pretty sure that the “pink hotel” she’s refers to is the Royal Hawaiian Hotel that’s right on the beach in Waikiki on Oahu. It used to one of the few hotels right on the beach, now they’re stacked on top of each other there. “They paved paradise” for sure.

[@dennytaylor1005]

Besides the Royal Hawaiian that @stillstanding8286 mentioned ... the tree "museum" that she sings about is real too. Its in a not very nice neighborhood ...at a place called Foster Gardens, where they have various tree types...and you do have to pay to get in to see them.

[@Scary__fun]

In Janet's song "Got 'Til It's Gone" which sampled the chorus from here, there's also a voice in background that says "Joni Mitchell never lies"... guess you guys missed that when you heard that song.

[@RioRav]

@@Scary__fun it's not just a voice saying that, it's Q-Tip of the legendary Tribe Called Quest who is also featured on the song.

[@konradv7]

The anthem of the environmental movement!

[@savariaxa]

When the dust settles, Joni Mitchell may stand as the most important and influential female recording artist of the late 20th century. Uncompromising and iconoclastic.

[@dellafenton2417]

Rumour has it that Joni is playing the legend slot next year at Glastonbury. I sincerely hope she does!!

[@markdrechsler5660]

Joni is a genius.

[@alphajava761]

I love Joni so much. Lots to discover. Excellent reaction. "California" live, "Help Me" studio. You gotta see the live version of Big Yellow Taxi. Oh she's flawless live, amazing.

[@gailjohnson5950]

"Help Me" is my favorite from Joni!

[@laurabrevitz3944]

"Free Man in Paris" - about her friend David Geffen - is another excellent song.

[@alphajava761]

@@laurabrevitz3944 "You Turn Me On I'm A Radio" came about from Geffen encouraging Joni to write a great hit single and boy did she ever which also resulted in the great For The Roses album. Her catalog is filled with new creativity and it's huge. I think she's the best female singer song writer there is, I'm not alone in that.

[@brianeady3791]

Props to you guys. You're the only reaction channel that doesn't have to pretend to like Rock. La's appreciation and enthusiasm can't be faked. Chi's too, but La is a maniac for good tunes. You started Yes, now you have to do Yours is No disgrace and Starship Trooper, and see if you're the same afterwards! Welcome to legit Prog.

[@AirplayBeats]

Thanks for rocking with us!! Check out our Yes playlist. We did those 2 songs as well

[@JoeandAngie]

Page and Plant were smitten with her

[@alphajava761]

The Zep song "Going To California" is about Joni

[@helenespaulding7562]

Most especially Plant! 😏

[@WillFife]

And Crosby and Nash!

[@dbradx]

Oh man, another of Canada's greatest treasures right here, and a great song choice. If you guys dig this one, you should absolutely check out her album 'Blue', which is a frikking masterpiece - every song is killer. A brilliant songwriter, terrific vocalist, a painter, just a true artist in every way. Loved watching you guys recognize the Janet sample - as always, you guys are way into the music and I'm grooving with you up here in Canada. Much love!

[@jasonremy1627]

By the way, Joni Mitchell was Prince's favorite artist of all time. He used to cover her songs in concert "just to keep her name out there" (his words) and Joni has reported that he was in the front row on almost ever show she did in Minneapolis, even back when he was just a kid.

[@ianlove1215]

It shows what good music you can get from just an acoustic guitar!

[@ragjamrock]

Coyote with Jaco Pastorius on bass, Help me, Free man in Paris, are some of my favorites by her.🎶🎸🚖🏝️

[@zwieseler]

What you also need to know, she also plays the guitar.... in fact, she is a killer guitar player, electric as well.

[@Blue-qr7qe]

And incredible piano. Dulcimer, also. And my heartstrings, definately.

[@johnthegreek5836]

Guys you’re listening to a first class singer songwriter of this generation and for generations to follow

[@michaelgray4964]

Singer songwriters are a rich vein for you guys to mine. John Prine. Joni. Bob Dylan. Carole King. Paul Simon/Simon and Garfunkel. Jackson Browne. Randy Newman. Guy Clark. So much good music and smart writing.

[@michaelgray4964]

Do Guy Clark's "The Guitar". Fabulous story song with amazing guitar work by his friend Verlon Thompson, who co-wrote it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3nbgJidpJeGqdE

[@jasonremy1627]

Joni Mitchell is my favorite. Love her so much. You can do no wrong listening to her. She's amazing.

[@bastark6926]

As a proud Canadian, we cherish Ms. Mitchell as one of our greats. I truly believe that an artists talent and impact can be measured by how other great musicians regard them. The level of respect paid by musical greats to Joni Michell speaks to her talent AND impact on music.

[@Zopf-international]

Aw Joni. I've always loved you baby. And here we are again. People gonna' talk you know.

[@rockandrollpaddy]

Go get down that Joni rabbit hole! She's an icon.

[@michellecostley7878]

I blew her off when I was younger. I thought she was an odd duck and rediscovered her when I was in my sixties. Now she is a favorite. A beautiful songbird who speaks of a woman's heart.

[@ginapurpura1182]

Yay! I am so delighted to see your reaction, wonderful as usual. Please keep listening to Joni. It’ll make you so happy, and sometimes it’ll make you so sad. ❤️

[@danmayberry1185]

🇨🇦 Royalty.

[@ericanderson8886]

Classic Joni in her younger days, back in the hippie days. Yeah it got sampled like a lot of great songs from the sixties and seventies.

[@vetstadiumastroturf5756]

"Help Me" and "Free Man In Paris" Please

[@jdbroders64]

Joni, the voice of an angel.

[@destinyreelly2974]

A few suggestions…’Cactus Tree’, ‘Case of you’, ‘River’ and ‘Woodstock’. Joni is a goddess!!!!

[@andrewwright9378]

Only yesterday I was thinking “when are they gonna get on the Joni train?” And here we are. You ain’t heard nothing yet boys. Pleeeaase jump down this rabbit hole!

[@lla788]

Joni is a brilliant songwriter (music & lyrics), musician & singer.. Plus, she's a great painter. The word genius gets thrown around much too often--but she is one.

[@ML-un1oi]

Joni is an excellent singer, musician, and a artist. So much more to go into with Joni. Excellent reaction fellas! Appreciate you❤

[@tektoniks_architects]

Joni had such a huge impact on the culture, and commanded and earned the respect of her peers and collaborators for decades. Her personal relationships with similar singer/songwriters of the era show how strong and interconnected the web of greatness was at that time.

[@spawn4582]

It was fun and entertaining, the guitar was just jumping around and Joni was just playing with her voice, great.

[@rhwinner]

Her concerts with her band that included Jaco Pistorius on bass and Larry Carlton on guitar in the 70's/80's are legendary....

[@salmuscles]

Hi La and Che...Joni Mitchell is the greatest female artist in music history....

[@garyrausch1184]

Joni is great visual artist, she painted the cover art for her albums.

[@allengray5748]

The Great Joni Mitchell, Nice!! Her and Carol King two great female songwriters. What's Next! Great Channel Guys!!

[@Jan-xn3kz]

Please check out a more mature Joni on the Hejira Album especially as you love bass players her collaboration with Jaco Pastorius is wonderful. Joni/Jaco. Title track Hejira, Coyote and Amelia.

[@gustavogutierrez9086]

Thank you guys for a great reaction. Love to see you discovering these classics. Joni is a goddess and great songwriter and vocalist, anything from her album 'Blue'

[@bhart62]

Joni Mitchell is a true artist’s artist. Prince was a HUGE Joni Mitchell fan. In fact there’s a lyric in Prince’s song Ballad of Dorthy Parker where Prince sing “Mind if I put on the radio?. Oh, my favorite song she said and it was Joni singing help me I think I’m falling”.

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

Joni Mitchell has had a long, respected career, changing her style a number of time, yet always making moving, crafted, thought provoking records. She has a rich, deep catalog. Trivia: she was an aspiring athlete, until a bout with Polio left her weakened, and she turned to music: Polio may have given us all her wise, glorious music.

[@BrixtonTone]

Just love the eclectic mix and reactions you guys offer. Love Joni Mitchell to bits, more of her please

[@Michael-Philip]

Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, and Rickie Lee Jones. Were my fav female singers.

[@hughjass9078]

Perhaps give Simon and Garfunkel a try, they’re legends

[@unfilthy]

I love when people sample old songs I like. Especially when it's done with respect to the original artist, which the best artists always do. The only ones who try to act like they're the first person to make good music are young insecure people. The classy one show respect and get respect in return, IMO. Janet called Joni personally to ask for permission to use her music, and Q Tip says "Joni Mitchell never lies" on the track.

[@carol-mariefleming8689]

Go down the Joni rabbit hole!! She's unbelievable. The album Court and Spark is my favorite.

[@lipby]

Joni Mitchell's Blue album is a top five album of the rock era. Watch her version of "California" from the Johnny Cash Show. Brilliant.

[@helenespaulding7562]

Johnny Cash or Carson? Cash was the singer. Carson was the late night host.

[@lipby]

@@helenespaulding7562 Johnny Cash. He had a TV show in the late 1960s.

[@lipby]

@@helenespaulding7562 kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5aZcoONi5mJe8k

[@helenespaulding7562]

@@lipby I stand corrected. Never knew that. Probably either because I wasn’t a country fan or because it wasn’t on TV in Seattle. What years did it air?

[@lipby]

@helenespaulding7562 I was born in 1970 so never saw it first run. I only know about it because Dylan, Neil Young, and Joni Mitchell had some pretty legendary performances on it. It aired 69 to 71.

[@GottaDance56]

Once you get a bit more Joni under your belt you need to listen to Both Sides Now, which she recorded twice. The 1966 version holds a lot of promise, as life does at age 23. She recorded it again in 2000 - at age 57. The change in perspective will knock you out.

[@davidbeyea9006]

Couldn’t agree more!

[@scottsnyder2726]

Love ❤️ Joni! So incredibly talented. She did vocals, guitar, piano and the cover illustration for “Ladies of the Canyon” album, which included this song. A great songwriter, lyricist and musician. Understood her voice and its ability to be perfectly in key, or sweet, or fun, or introspective or longing. And a very underrated acoustic guitarist. Her music is a huge rabbit hole, but well worth the deep dive. Her next album following this, “Blue” is completely different and one of the best ever.

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

She actually painted several early album covers.

[@marnilong2302]

Oh man! Love me some Joni! She was one of Prince's influences, he loved her lyricism. He really liked her song "A Case of You" and over the years did multiple renditions, but on his "One Night Alone" album, he had mastered the sound he was looking for, and titled it "A Case of U." Definitely worth a listen.

[@renemokum]

Joni is a one-of-a-kind singer, composer, musician, and all-around artist. Original and brilliant. Welcome to her universe! So many songs to react to. 'For the Roses' is an early favorite album of mine, but there so many more. Enjoy the ride!

[@samgreco4067]

Joni is Canadian and Toronto during the 70's had yellow police cars. They called them yellow taxis as slang for getting arrested. She said in the song a "yellow taxi took away her old man" meaning he got arrested.

[@peytonhartley1104]

Incidentally, you guys have done the Zeppelin reactions... Going to California is about Joni.... "Someone told me there's a girl out there With love in her eyes and flowers in her hair"

[@Jude_196]

MAN - you've hit a GOLD MINE, HERE - JONI IS an ICON!! SUCH a GREAT, CONTROLLED VOICE....and, lyrics: impeccable!! HUGS, GUYS!!

[@helenespaulding7562]

ANY Joni Mitchell that you want to do I’m here for! My favorite female vocalist and one of the top five singer/songwriters of not only her (and my) generation but also if the last 60 years, imo . Her peers held/hold her in awe. And millions just adored her. More PLEASE!

[@loupi4bama]

I love everything about Joni's music, but she is a real OG when it comes to being a lyricist.

[@gregcable3250]

Top 5 greatest song writers as well as female singers in rock/pop/jazz/folk--and she completely shifted to jazz/pop/fusion just a few years after this (see her album, "Mingus"). A legendary musician for my age cohort. We just call her "Joni" and everyone my age knows who you are talking about. Also was girlfriend to David Crosby (CSN, CSN&Y)--who discovered her singing in a bar in Florida (don't know how Joni got there as she is Canadian!)--and then soon after, Graham Nash--also of CSN, CSN&Y)--the latter relationship for quite a while.

[@jessicaleblanc-nh1yl]

I grew up with this lovely lady singing her amazing creations. Always enjoyed her sound. Thank you for this!

[@daveroberts936]

Joni is underrated because she didn't have a producer. She is admired by Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John, Neil Young, Crosby Stills, and Nash, Prince, Herbie Hancock, and many many more! One of the most gifted and underrated in history! Open, snd vulnerable, authentic and unapologetic. One in a lifetime.

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

Joni came out with her album "Blue" in 1971 and I was hooked. A Canadian woman songwriter, singer, musician and artist extraordinaire. Prince covered her song "A Case of You." I hope to listen to more of her work.

[@barriehull7076]

To reiterate the Led Zeppelin song "Going To California" is about Joni.

[@rk41gator]

Joni Mitchell is soaring above all the others as a writer and performer with something to say. A poet with a conscience. An artist with integrity.

[@bobdelp2023]

OHHHHH YEAH!!! ❤😊 OFF OF HER 70 ALBUM ( LADIES OF THE CANYON ) THE OTHER BIG HIT WAS A SONG SHE WROTE HERSELF WHICH WAS : WOODSTOCK 😊SHE TELLS A GREAT STORY ABOUT IT ON THE ( 70 BBC CONCERT ) SHOW RIGHT BEFORE SHE SINGS AND PLAYS IT LA & CHE 👍JUST A MERE 27 AT THE TIME!

[@JoeandAngie]

The "canyon" is Laurel Canyon. Nothing good ever happened there. Do research!

[@grandmasterB77]

Great one! Melanie’s Brand New Key is another great one in this vein and even more catchy

[@darkmagus64]

Joni Mitchell is not only a great singer/song writer, but she was an inventive guitar player.

[@johnanderson8096]

Joni is... AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!

[@joescott8877]

Robert Plant on Joni Mitchell: "To find a queen without a king/They say she plays guitar and cries and sings, la-la-la" From "Going to California," which you guys might recall from Zeppelin IV. Jimmy Page was also smitten by her, but she wouldn't date either of them! I LOVED y'all's realization of the JJ sample. Which I had no idea of myself. So I scurried off and had fun listening to "Miss Jackson" (I'm nasty) doing "Got til it's gone."

[@armenflintstone]

The look that came across your faces when you recognized the sample was priceless. Same look as when you reacted to Kid Charlemagne “did you realize, that you were a champion in their eyes”

[@danw2276]

Thanks guys. Shes a hot hippie with a beautiful flower child spirit and an unconventional style that follows no one. Mr coyote is my favorite and live with the Band on The Last Waltz album. 👍

[@vedantapdx]

Wow, You cats have finally struck the Mother Lode. Joni writes and sings such wonderful songs, a great singular talent on Piano, guitar and dulcimer. Her Album Blue was cited as being the 4th best album ever recorded. You both have to get that album and listen to this masterwork. As a writer, writer and overall imaginative talent, I don't know anyone who reached her success and fame during the 60, 70,s and 80's. Myself, I adore Eartha Kitt and Sarah Vaughn as great singular talents too.

[@PeterOConnell-pq6io]

She killed this one, as per usual.

[@bobdelp2023]

😊DAMNNNNNNNNN!😊THAT'S FUNNY👍

[@mateostaplez7497]

Check out her rendition of Woodstock and compare it to Crosby, Stills, and Nash's version

[@alphajava761]

Neil Young is on that too.

[@MarcosElMalo2]

Janet was very forthcoming about the sample and talked up Joni. Janet gets credit for introducing a whole cohort of fans to Joni Mitchell, and for that alone she will always be blessed.

[@mcdnea7030]

I have been listening to this for 50 years and only noticed today. This song is saying that taking your man for granted is like polluting the environment. I think we can get some mileage out of this. Imagine beating your girl in an argument by quoting Joni Mitchell! There is magic here.

[@BethTiner]

This song was a huge hit for her. They played it on FM for decades but you never hear it anymore

[@cherrypickerguitars]

Without a doubt, Joni is the MOST important female artist of the modern music era! Go Canada! Peace

[@paulprendergast3184]

Saskatchewan's own, Ms. Joni Mitchell ❤ 🔥

[@reynoldsmathey]

This is a prime example of why I love this channel. You are so knowledgeable and appreciative. Thank you!

[@musicislife-sa]

please do some more joni fellas. She is one of a kind. Stellar Artist with a capital A.

[@hklinker]

The other side of the sampling thing - for me - is that when I hear an old song that’s sampled it drives me nuts. My brain expects the sample to keep going, but it stops, or repeats…like a record used to skip and go back to the same place.

[@bearballin]

Great reaction and recognition gents! Fun Joni Mitchell fact: Big Yellow Taxi was her first song using percussion/ bongos, and this was a track from her 3rd studio album. Up until that point she always had trouble writing her lyrics around drums. The bongos really give that hippie vibe! ✌️ ☮️

[@bert9762]

Maybe you don’t know yet, but you have just entered in the biggest rabbit hole you can imagine. Joni Mitchell is probably the greatest artist using the media of pop music appearing in the 20th century (in my opinion even superior than Bob Dylan and Lou Reed). Have fun; her LP’s are so good that you can have the same treatment as for Led Zeppelin : hearing them all in a chronological way 😅. For your information, she was Prince’s favourite artist by the way.

[@marakeire9816]

The whole album “Blue” is beautiful, poignant, fun, and just plain brilliant.

[@DannyD714]

well, i guess it goes both ways. i didn't know janet jackson sampled this song,but you guys pointed it out to me. she even shows joni in the video,and q-tip says "joni mitchell never lies", so they showed her some respect as well.

[@rebeccam439]

When I was a kid the radio was always on and this song was always on the radio.

[@beatnpotatoes]

She’s got a ton of bangers. So many great songs.

[@jeffmartin1026]

The first verse is an ecology statement - reaction to the book Silent Spring by Rachel Carlson describing the use of DDT for pest/insect control and it's effect on the wider ecology - birds eat the bugs and their egg shells were too thin and broke before they could hatch.

[@greekadmirer2204]

A pure iconic singer in music history . Delightful .❤❤❤

[@ivansavoie3190]

Another of Canada's great artists

[@mkellygun]

Nothing hidden about this song... orJoni Mitchell. Big time...

[@michaelbastien3572]

"A Case of You" and "River" are two incredible songs by Joni!

[@bryanhale5254]

Yeah I think it is an honor that Janet sampled this it's so cool that these artist love the older classics like this

[@alanrodgers4223]

Your Listening To The QUEEN, Man. She Also Sings All The Harmonies As Well.

[@annas9131]

I'm really surprised that you didn't know this classic, but nice to see that you enjoyed it. Joni is in a league of her own, so may great songs. May I suggest 'A case of you', a song probably inspired by her relationship with Graham Nash with whom she lived in Laurel Canyon. Or 'Both sides now', a song she wrote in 1966.when she was 23 years old. Great song then but the re-recording in 2000 with an orchestra blew my mind. Her voice much darker and it is as if she has come to really feel what she herself has written over the years. It always moves me.

[@helenespaulding7562]

I believe “Case of you” was written about her frought relationship with Leonard Cohen. .

[@princeofpcos9804]

She has a lot of really funky, odd-time signature stuff in her catalogue. Maynard from Tool really likes her stuff.

[@bleubaker]

More Joni!

[@citizenghosttown]

Great reaction! Joni MItchell is best known for her brilliant song writing but she's also a terrific guitarist. Two of her best known songs that absolutely just crush your heart are "Case of You" and "Both Sides Now" (the recording by Judy Collins is better known but I'd go with Joni's version)

[@davidbeyea9006]

They should do both of Joni’s versions of “Both Sides Now” so they can see how her voice and style changed over time.

[@misiuhagen4926]

Thank you for covering JM!!! She’s amazing. Ladies of the Canyon came out when I was six years old and I would hear it piping out of my big bros room. Love you two❤

[@JamesJohnson-ig6of]

BROS, During this time period folk music was hip! And it was usually distinguishable enough to be put in it's own genre. Besides this classic song, we have Janis Ian, "At Seventeen". And besides Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan (aka Robert Zimmerman), another well-spoken troubadour, was raised in a small city only about an hour from me in Minnesota. I mention Joan Baez, because her voice always had a way of tearing at my heartstrings. She has early songs like "Diamonds And Dust"; and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down". My very favorite of Joan's is "Hand To Mouth" accompanied with a video, which is a "must play!" Joan Baez has been conscience of social issues all her career, and incorporates her thoughts and feelings into her music, doing her part to make a positive change. THANK YOU!

[@randyhodges8782]

Your musical education amuses me. I will definitely continue watching.