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]
Nobody does it better
London Symphony Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nobody does it half as good as you
Baby, you're the best
I wasn't lookin' but somehow you found me
I tried to hide from your love light
But like heaven above me the spy who loved me
Is keepin' all my secrets safe tonight
Nobody does it quite the way you do
Did you have to be so good?
The way that you hold me whenever you hold me
There's some kind of magic inside you
That keeps me from runnin' but just keep it comin'
How'd you learn to do the things you do?
And nobody does it better
Makes me feel sad for the rest
Nobody does it half as good as you
The London Symphony Orchestra's song "Nobody does it better" is a beautiful tribute to a person who is unparalleled in their abilities. The lyrics convey a sense of awe and admiration towards this person. The singer acknowledges that no one can compare to them and they make the singer feel sad for the rest. The person in question is held in such high regard that the singer wishes someone else could also possess their skills. The chorus "Nobody does it better, makes me feel sad for the rest. Nobody does it half as good as you, baby, you're the best" emphasizes the unmatched nature of this person.
The lyrics also mention how the singer wasn't looking for someone like this person but somehow they found them. The singer is amazed at this person's abilities that they feel like there is some kind of magic inside them. The line "Did you have to be so good?" suggests that this person's talents are so impressive that it's almost unfair. The second verse continues to praise the person and their abilities, from the way they hold the singer to the things they do that leave the singer in awe.
Overall, "Nobody does it better" is a beautiful tribute to someone who is exceptional in every sense of the word. The lyrics convey a sense of admiration and awe towards this person while also acknowledging that their abilities are unmatched. It is a fitting tribute to anyone who is truly the best at what they do.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody does it better makes me feel sad for the rest
Your extraordinary talent far exceeds that of anyone else, which leaves me feeling sorry for all the others who cannot match your level of skill.
Nobody does it half as good as you
When it comes to performing, no one is able to do it as well as you can.
Baby, you're the best
You are the most talented and skilled person I know.
I wasn't lookin' but somehow you found me
I was not actively searching for someone talented, but you came into my life anyway and surpassed all of my expectations.
I tried to hide from your love light
I attempted to distance myself from your awe-inspiring abilities, but I was unable to escape their brilliance.
But like heaven above me the spy who loved me Is keepin' all my secrets safe tonight
Despite my efforts to resist your skill, I am drawn to it like a spy who is in love with me, and I trust you with all of my secrets.
Nobody does it better sometimes I wish someone could
Although I am deeply impressed by your abilities, at times I wonder what it would be like if someone else could match you.
Nobody does it quite the way you do
Your method of performing is unique and unmatched by anyone else.
Did you have to be so good?
Although I admire your talent, I wonder if it was necessary to be so exceptional.
The way that you hold me whenever you hold me
The manner in which you embrace me is symbolically indicative of your extraordinary abilities as a performer.
There's some kind of magic inside you
You possess a certain indescribable quality that makes you unparalleled in your field.
That keeps me from runnin' but just keep it comin'
Your talent is so captivating that I cannot resist it, so please continue to share it with the world.
How'd you learn to do the things you do?
I am in awe of your skills and am curious about how you acquired them.
And nobody does it better
There is truly no one who can match your level of talent.
Makes me feel sad for the rest
Being so much better than everyone else makes me feel bad for those who cannot match your talent.
Nobody does it half as good as you
Your abilities far surpass those of anyone else, so no one can do what you do quite as well.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAROLE SAGER, MARVIN HAMLISCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind