Harry Chapin - Taxi

The well famed, (I feel over-rated in-comparison to some of his other songs) Taxi, In original form

The best live version I'm aware of:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAyhh5sEbrk

"I saw Harry Chapin and his band perform this song live on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. The audience gave them a thunderous, standing ovation. Carson was so impressed he invited Chapin back the next night for an encore. One of the great story-song writers." -Reddalestew

-----

"It was raining hard in 'Frisco,
I needed one more fare to make my night.
A lady up ahead waved to flag me down,
She got in at the light.

Oh, where you going to, my lady blue,
It's a shame you ruined your gown in the rain.
She just looked out the window, and said
"Sixteen Parkside Lane".

Something about her was familiar
I could swear I'd seen her face before,
But she said, "I'm sure you're mistaken"
And she didn't say anything more.

It took a while, but she looked in the mirror,
And she glanced at the license for my name.
A smile seemed to come to her slowly,
It was a sad smile, just the same.
And she said, "How are you Harry?"
I said, "How are you Sue?
Through the too many miles
and the too little smiles
I still remember you."

It was somewhere in a fairy tale,
I used to take her home in my car.
We learned about love in the back of the Dodge,
The lesson hadn't gone too far.
You see, she was gonna be an actress,
And I was gonna learn to fly.
She took off to find the footlights,
And I took off to find the sky.

Oh, I've got something inside me,
To drive a princess blind.
There's a wild man, wizard,
He's hiding in me, illuminating my mind.
Oh, I've got something inside me,
Not what my life's about,
Cause I've been letting my outside tide me,
Over 'till my time, runs out.

Baby's so high that she's skying,
Yes she's flying, afraid to fall.
I'll tell you why baby's crying,
Cause she's dying, aren't we all.

There was not much more for us to talk about,
Whatever we had once was gone.
So I turned my cab into the driveway,
Past the gate and the fine trimmed lawns.
And she said we must get together,
But I knew it'd never be arranged.
And she handed me twenty dollars,
For a two fifty fare, she said
"Harry, keep the change."
Well another man might have been angry,
And another man might have been hurt,
But another man never would have let her go...
I stashed the bill in my shirt.

And she walked away in silence,
It's strange, how you never know,
But we'd both gotten what we'd asked for,
Such a long, long time ago.

You see, she was gonna be an actress
And I was gonna learn to fly.
She took off to find the footlights,
And I took off for the sky.
And here, she's acting happy,
Inside her handsome home.
And me, I'm flying in my taxi,
Taking tips, and getting stoned,
I go flying so high, when I'm stoned."

/Lyrics from The Harry Chapin Archive at Harrychapin.com\

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Harry
• Chapin
• Heads
• and
• Tales
• Taxi

[reddalestew]

I saw Harry Chapin and his band perform this song live on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. The audience gave them a thunderous, standing ovation. Carson was so impressed he invited Chapin back the next night for an encore. One of the great story-song writers.

[SongsofHarry]

@reddalestew

I did not know that, interesting fact Reddale!

[dubitoful]

Is this the studio version? Like so often, those versions seem to be the best to me. Which does not mean, the live performance of Harry is of a lesser quality. It might even be more forceful and impressing. Anyway - Harry forever ...!

[SongsofHarry]

@dubitoful

'Tis the original version, and is not live, if that's what you're asking. I recommend listening to his one from the bottom line encore edition, that's my favorite... I'll let you decided.

[SongsofHarry]

@appledixie

You're right what will everyone think of San Fransisco now! damn you Harry! Next time you write an amazing song you should consider whom you may hurt beyond repair! this poor woman/man will never fully recover and have to live with the fact that you used San Fransisco for the rest of their lives! You selfish bastard!

[wingman572]

dont drink to this one it'll fuck you up.  powerful song.

[vasallizinni]

@reddalestew Yes, I remember that set of shows. I was just a kid but Mr. Chapin seemed like the voice of reason. I feel his early death in the VW on that turnpike altered a major part of history for this country, because people were starting to listen to him and he was getting very political. what a great heart. what a great loss. make a special categorie for this entertainer. One that includes several wonderful talents all blended into a performance you could barely ignore. one forever.

[deadhead686]

30 THOUSAND pounds of bannanas:)

[doctorvibe11]

I'd have to worry about a guy who DIDN'T dredge up sad memories when he heard this song.

[GATEJUMPER1]

the best song of lost love ever made

[noclouds111]

Reminds me of a place called Forest Park Springfield MA, where several friends & I would hang out and.........

"I go fly-ing so high...when I'm stoned."

This is a wonderful tune, indeed!

[aLocoCooKoo]

One of those songs that keep popping into my head. Great song.

Aravoth

[DBMalone]

@melfriend7 No, he wasn't.

[DBMalone]

@tedster1956 The sign of a great story teller.

[tedster1956]

This song could easily make me cry....

[bonnieblu313]

@melfriend7 ,,no way,,lol,,,