I did not know I had so much in common with Folk Singer Joni Mitchell until I reviewed an article about Earth Day and once again fell in love with one of her songs.
“Big Yellow Taxi” did not catch my attention, nor my recollection, of the title at first, but after watching a rendition of the song I realized it was, and still is, one of the greatest songs about preserving the earth.
“Don’t Know What You Got ‘Til It’s Gone“
Joni was alerting all of us about the actions world-wide that could lead to unbearable consequences. The words arose very easily when she was visiting Hawaii during the month of April in 1970.
She looked out the window of her hotel room and enjoyed seeing the sun and blue skies greeting her and all others at that moment. But when she glanced downward toward the base of the building she saw nothing but the blackness of a parking lot stretching on and on.
I believe she must have been startled with nearly a tear in her eye as she offered the next line:
“They Paved Paradise and Put Up a Parking Lot.”
I was in Hawaii the same year she had visited having taken “R & R” which is also known as Rest and Recuperation from the jungles in the Vietnam War. The war has become known as one of the worst wars the United States ever engaged in.
We were trying to prevent the “Domino Effect” of Vietnam neighboring countries from falling to the communist party and the USSR (Russia).
My country should have paid particular attention to someone like Joni Mitchell and the failings of war. Instead, the USA has engaged in another battle back in Iran for no good reason.
Contoveros 
Thank you for sharing this, Michael. These are important reminders. ❤️
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It’s my pleasure to share my thoughts and feelings when the “Muse” inside wants to bring them out to the public. Thanks for your response and continued Internet friendship.
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❤️I appreciate you.
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Good to hear your truths and personal History of events too many Americans simply have forgotten, or ever cared! Gads, I have loved Joni Mitchell, and appreciate your reminder! Ya still got the talent for expression, and telling it like it was, a d sadly still is! Blessings my friend 🙏💖🌟r
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Dear Rebecca,
I felt a kinship to the song after reading about the history of its writing in Hawaii which was the same year that I had been visiting out there.I did not recognize the title for the song: "*Big Yellow Taxi* “but immediately was full of joy and beautiful memories of the words and the melody I had loved so many years ago.It was no coincidence for me to research the song but one of " *synchronicity*," as suggested by *Psychotherapist Carl G. Jung* when introducing his theory about our the "*Collective Unconsciousness*."It brings us all together!LikeLiked by 1 person
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Diane Hamilton Burrus Pomponi
Saw her perform with her then husband at The Second Fret at 19th and Sansom Streets in Philly, back in 1966.
She was beautiful and what a heavenly voice! We went back a second time that week to experience her again. She looked and sounded like an angel.
Michael J Contos
“Looked and sounded like an angel!”
That just about sizes up her entire personality as well as her songs. The title for the song that I focused on “Big Yellow Taxi” threw me through a loop because I never connected the words of her song to that title which I think doesn’t really introduce the listener to her joyful sound.
I see you gotta lot of good memories of her too Diane. It’s fun to recall them when we think of angelic activities.
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