More recently, its principal conductors have included Pierre Monteux (1961–64), Istvan Kertesz (1965–68), André Previn (1968–79) and Claudio Abbado (1979–88). From 1988-1995, the American Michael Tilson-Thomas took over, and in 1995, became principal guest conductor. Sir Colin Davis served as the LSO's Principal Conductor from 1995-2006, and in 2007 took the post of President of the orchestra. On 1 January 2007, Valery Gergiev became the LSO's Principal Conductor. Previn holds the title of Conductor Laureate. In 2006, Daniel Harding became the co-principal guest conductor alongside Tilson Thomas. Richard Hickox is the Associate Guest Conductor of the LSO.
The LSO became the first British orchestra to play overseas when it went to Paris in 1906. The LSO was due to sail on the RMS Titanic for a concert in New York in April 1912 but fortunately had to change the booking at the last minute. It was also the first to play in the United States, in 1912, and in 1973 it was the first to be invited to take part in the Salzburg Festival. It continues to make tours around the world.
In 1966 the London Symphony Chorus (LSC) was formed to complement the work of the LSO. with more that two hundred amateur singers, the LSC maintains a close association with the LSO; however it has developed an independent life, which allows it to partner other leading orchestras.
The LSO has long been considered the most extraverted of the London orchestras. For most of its life it refused to allow women to become members, ostensibly on the grounds that women would affect the sound of the orchestra (there has been a similar controversy at the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra). There is an air of youthful high spirits to much of its music-making that is shown off in performances of such composers as Berlioz and Prokofiev. The LSO has often had internationally-known players as wind soloists, including such artists as James Galway (flute), Gervase de Peyer (clarinet), Roger Lord (oboe), Osian Ellis (harp), John Georgiadis (violin) and Barry Tuckwell (horn). Like most ensembles, the orchestra has a great ability to vary its sound, producing very different tone colours under such diverse conductors as Stokowski (with whom it made a series of memorable recordings), Adrian Boult, Jascha Horenstein, Georg Solti, André Previn, George Szell, Claudio Abbado, Leonard Bernstein, John Barbirolli, and Karl Böhm, who developed a close relationship with the orchestra late in his life. Böhm and Bernstein each held the title of LSO President in their later years.
Clive Gillinson, a former cellist with the orchestra, served as the LSO's Managing Director from 1984 to 2005, and is widely credited with bringing great stability to the LSO's organization after severe fiscal troubles.[1] Since 2005, Kathryn McDowell is the Managing Director of the LSO.[2]
Baker Street
London Symphony Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Light in your head and dead on your feet
Well another crazy day
You'll drink the night away
And forget about everything
This city's dance makes you feel so cold
Its got so many people but its got no soul
To find out you were wrong
When you thought it had everything
You used to think that it was so easy
You used to say that it was so easy
But you're trying, you're trying now
Another year and then you'll be happy
Just one more year and then you'll be happy
But you're crying you're crying now
Way down the street there's a light in his place
Opens the door
He's got that look on his face
And he asks you were you've been
You tell him who you've seen
And you talk about everything
He's got this dream about buying some land
He's gonna give up the crack and the one night stands
And then he'll settle down
In some quiet little town
And forget about everything
But you know he'll always keep moving
You know he's never gonna stop moving
'Cause he's rolling, he's the rolling stone
When you wake up its a new morning
The sun is shining its a new morning
You're going, your going' home
The lyrics to London Symphony Orchestra's song, Baker Street, tell the story of a tired and disillusioned individual living in a city that feels soulless. The first verse describes the singer's exhaustion, both mentally and physically, from the daily stresses of urban life. The second verse expresses the disappointment felt in the city's lack of character and the realization that the individual has been mistaken in thinking it had everything. The chorus highlights the individual's struggle to find happiness and the contradiction in their different attitudes towards life, including their former belief that everything was easy.
The third verse introduces a friend who is hoping to leave the city and start a new life on some land, free from the negative influences of drugs and one night stands. The singer recognizes that this friend will never truly settle down as they are a perpetual wanderer, always moving from place to place, having gained the nickname "rolling stone." The final chorus expresses a newfound hope and feeling of rebirth, as the singer wakes up to a new morning with the sun shining, ready to go home.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of frustration and disillusionment with the fast-paced and superficial culture of urban life, as well as a desire for a simpler and more fulfilling existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Winding you way down to baker street
You are making your way to Baker Street in a meandering manner.
Light in your head and dead on your feet
You are feeling both tired and alert.
Well another crazy day
It has been a hectic day.
You'll drink the night away
You will spend the evening drinking.
And forget about everything
You will use drinking to escape your problems.
This city's dance makes you feel so cold
The city's way of life is making you feel emotionally aloof.
Its got so many people but its got no soul
The city has a large population but is lacking in authenticity.
And its taken you so long
It has taken a while for you to realize.
To find out you were wrong
That your past assumptions were incorrect.
When you thought it had everything
When you formerly believed it had everything you wanted.
You used to think that it was so easy
In the past, you believed that it was effortless.
You used to say that it was so easy
You previously expressed that it was simple.
But you're trying, you're trying now
Now you are attempting to succeed.
Another year and then you'll be happy
You believe that one more year will bring you happiness.
Just one more year and then you'll be happy
You are convinced that one year of waiting will lead to happiness.
But you're crying you're crying now
Currently, you find yourself feeling emotional.
Way down the street there's a light in his place
At the end of the street, there is a lit establishment.
Opens the door
The front door is opening, and someone is stepping outside.
He's got that look on his face
He has a particular expression on his face.
And he asks you where you've been
He inquires as to your whereabouts.
You tell him who you've seen
You inform him of whom you have encountered.
And you talk about everything
You engage in a wide-ranging conversation.
He's got this dream about buying some land
He has aspirations of purchasing a plot of terrain.
He's gonna give up the crack and the one night stands
He intends to leave his current lifestyle behind.
And then he'll settle down
Finally, he will choose to live a more peaceful existence.
In some quiet little town
He desires to live in a small and peaceful locale.
And forget about everything
He will forget about his prior vices and issues.
But you know he'll always keep moving
You recognize that he will never remain in one place for long.
You know he's never gonna stop moving
You are aware that he will always be traveling.
'Cause he's rolling, he's the rolling stone
His lifestyle is characterized by unremitting mobility.
When you wake up its a new morning
You awaken to a fresh day.
The sun is shining its a new morning
Bright and luminous daylight greets you.
You're going, your going' home
You are leaving to return to your house.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Gerald Rafferty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@End_Antiwhiteism
An absolute masterpiece! They sure don't make music such as this anymore...what a shame. Thanks for posting!
@thesmirkingwolf
It was like the beautiful, more classical instruments were leading you on to thinking you'd hear a version without the saxophone, only to be repeatedly trolled by the saxophone. But then, yes! Finally, a classical rendition! What could be so sweet to my ears? What could be in store for me next? Violins?
SAXOPHONE.
@gabrielefrobose6561
What a beautiful sound <3.
@griss2984
I don't mean this as a disrespect at all, but it almost has a Roger Moore-era Bond film sound to it with the orchestra, like if John Barry had done an arrangement of it. Absolutely beautiful, both the original song and this cover.
@glennspencer
That’s why I love it baby 🥹
@dandandanxmbad
Beautiful music!
@DesignerGato
LINDO ESTE TEMA DIOS LOS BENDIGA
@ElCoyote1230
Breathtaking, thanks for it. From LSO's Classic Rock i prefer this white and the green album.
@seiterarch
Weird to think the sax is Gerry himself. Such a diverse player.
@hb1338
No, the sax on the original recording of 'Baker Street' was played by a sessions musician called Raphael Ravenscroft. I'm not sure who played on the LSO cover, but it was most certainly not Gerry Rafferty.