Taxi (Harry Chapin song)

"Taxi" is a song written and originally performed by Harry Chapin. Released in 1972 on his album Heads & Tales, it tells the story of a chance encounter between a taxi driver and a former lover, both of whom reflect on their past and the divergent paths their lives have taken.

The song is notable for its narrative structure, which unfolds over several verses. The first verse describes the taxi driver picking up a fare, a woman who recognizes him. Subsequent verses reveal that they were once deeply in love and shared dreams, only to have their relationship end. The lyrics imply that their aspirations were left unfulfilled, with the woman now a wealthy socialite and the man driving a taxi.

Musically, "Taxi" is characterized by its melancholic melody and Chapin's distinctive vocals. The instrumentation is relatively simple, primarily featuring acoustic guitar and strings, which contributes to the song's introspective mood.

"Taxi" achieved significant commercial success, reaching the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It became one of Chapin's signature songs and helped to establish him as a prominent singer-songwriter known for his storytelling ability. A sequel, "Sequel," was released in 1980, continuing the story of the two characters years later.