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]
Someone to Watch Over Me
London Symphony Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still were often told, seek and ye shall find
So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind
Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
Hes the big affair I cannot forget
Only man I ever think of with regret
I'd like to add his initial to my monogram
There's a somebody I'm longing to see
I hope that he turns out to be
Someone who'll watch over me
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
I know I could always be good
Someone who'll watch over me
Although he may not be the man some
Girls think of as handsome
To my heart he carries the key
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me
The lyrics of "Someone to Watch Over Me" by the London Symphony Orchestra convey a sense of longing and vulnerability for a specific person who the singer is desperately searching for. The song opens with the acknowledgment that love is often portrayed as blind, but the singer is determined to find this certain individual. They have been actively looking for this person everywhere but have not been successful thus far.
The lyrics reveal that this person holds a significant place in the singer's heart, as they are described as a "big affair" and the only man the singer thinks of with regret. The desire to be connected with this person is further emphasized through the mention of adding their initial to the singer's monogram, symbolizing a desire for a deep and lasting connection.
The singer then expresses a plea for guidance to find the "shepherd" for their lost status as a lamb. This line suggests a sense of vulnerability and the need for someone reliable and caring to protect and guide them through life. It implies a desire to be rescued from the confusion and uncertainty that the singer currently feels.
The following section shifts to the hope of encountering a particular someone, whom the singer longs to meet. The singer expresses a desire for this person to be someone who will watch over and protect them. The use of the word "watch" suggests the need for attention, care, and emotional support. The singer portrays themselves as a lost lamb in the woods, emphasizing their vulnerability and the longing for someone to guide them back to safety.
The final stanza acknowledges that this person may not conform to conventional standards of attractiveness, but emphasizes their importance to the singer's heart. The singer requests that the listener tells this person to hasten their pace and follow their lead. It conveys a sense of urgency and eagerness for this person to notice and connect with the singer. The song concludes with the repeated plea for "someone to watch over me," further emphasizing the central theme of longing and the need for emotional protection and support.
Overall, the lyrics of "Someone to Watch Over Me" beautifully convey a heartfelt desire for a special person to come into the singer's life and provide them with the care, guidance, and emotional connection they yearn for. It speaks to the universal longing for companionship and a sense of security in the face of life's uncertainties.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a saying old says that love is blind
There is an ancient saying that suggests that love is oblivious.
Still were often told, seek and ye shall find
However, we are frequently advised that if we search, we will discover.
So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind
Therefore, I am determined to search for a specific young man whom I have been thinking about.
Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
Despite searching in every possible place, I have not yet found him.
He's the big affair I cannot forget
He is the significant love affair that I cannot erase from my memory.
Only man I ever think of with regret
He is the sole individual whom I recall with a sense of remorse.
I'd like to add his initial to my monogram
It is my desire to incorporate the first letter of his name into my personalized design.
Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?
Please inform me, where can I find the guide or protector for a vulnerable and confused person like myself?
There's a somebody I'm longing to see
There is a certain person I am yearning to meet.
I hope that he turns out to be
I have hope that he will prove to be the person I imagine him to be.
Someone who'll watch over me
Someone who will guard and protect me.
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
I am a vulnerable and defenseless individual who feels lost and overwhelmed.
I know I could always be good
I am aware that I have the potential to always behave well.
Someone who'll watch over me
Someone who will look after and care for me.
Although he may not be the man some
Even though he may not fit the image of what some individuals perceive as the ideal man
Girls think of as handsome
That girls typically consider attractive.
To my heart he carries the key
To my heart, he possesses the ability to unlock happiness and contentment.
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Could you kindly ask him to hasten his actions or movements?
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Come after me while I take the lead, oh, how desperate I am.
Someone to watch over me
Someone who will keep watch over and protect me.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, O/B/O DistroKid, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
StarduskRose
There's a saying old, says that love is blind
Still we're often told, seek and ye shall find
So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind
Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
He's the big affair I cannot forget
Only man I ever think of with regret
I'd like to add his initial to my monogram
Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb
There's a somebody I'm longin' to see
I hope that he turns out to be
Someone who'll watch over me
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
I know I could, always be good
To one who'll watch over me
Although he may not be the man
Some girls think of as handsome
To my heart he carries the key
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me
Someone to watch over me
Richard Herbst
It doesn't get better than the pure honey of Ella's singing.
Rick Funes
No one sings this amazing song better. She was perfection!
Maor Rosenberg
Actually Amy Winehouse sang it better
Killerbrick
@Maor Rosenberg no no no .. Amy winehouse did not. But Roberta flack is the only female singer who could rival Ellia's version of this great Gershwin's song.
Woyam Chny
@Maor Rosenberg Nope! I've listened to both Amy and Ella's versions. Ella's is better and she lived much longer and sang it better each time.
Manuel Fajardo
One of the best singer of all time
kevin foley
Finest female singer of the 20th century at her best.
Ness
Ella, te amo con todo mi corazón. 💚 Provocas sensaciones y emociones como nadie. No hay palabras que expresen como me siento. Me hubiese encantado conocerte. Descansa en paz, Ella bella. 💚
LadyRed ❤🔥
Adoro su voz, es tan relajante
Emily Morris
Just beautiful! Love this song!