So they paved paradise And put up a parking lot With a pink hotel A boutique And a swinging night spot Don't it always seem to go That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone They paved paradise Put up a parking lot They took all the trees Put 'em in a tree museum And they charged all the people An arm and a leg just to see 'em Don't it always seem to go That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone They paved paradise Put up a parking lot Hey farmer Put away your DDT Give me spots on my apples But leave me the birds and bees Please Don't it always seem to go You don't know what you got 'til it's gone They paved paradise And they put up a parking lot Late last night I heard the screen door slam And a big yellow taxi come and took away my old man Don't it always seem to go You don't know what you got 'til it's gone They paved paradise Put up a parking lot