The Metropole Orkest was founded at the request of the Dutch government by the composer and conductor Dolf van der Linden, who led the orchestra from 1945 to 1980. The first ever broadcast of the Metropole Orkest on Dutch radio took place on November 25th 1945.
Renowned for its wide-ranging abilities, the orchestra performs everything from chansons to World-music, film-scores, Rock- or Pop-tunes as well as high-octane jazz .
The orchestra is a regular feature at the North Sea Jazz festival and the yearly Holland Festival along with countless TV and radio programs broadcast to millions. The ever-growing Dutch film and television industry relies heavily on the Metropole Orkest for its film scores.
Since 1945 the Metropole has been under the baton of many chief conductors, including four-time Grammy Award winner Vince Mendoza, Dolf van der Linden, Rogier van Otterloo and Dick Bakker and can be seen frequenting the concert stage, in festivals and on recordings in the Netherlands as well as internationally.
Artists they have worked with include: Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Brian Eno, Pat Metheny, Stan Getz, Basement Jaxx, Within Temptation, Trijntje Oosterhuis, Barry Hay (singer with Golden Earring), Elvis Costello, Moke, Ruth Jacott and Paul de Leeuw.
The government was looking to pull their funding from the famous orchestra and Dutch cultural icon. At the last minute, in December 2012, politicians secured funding for the orchestra until 2017.[5]
Orchestral Composition
- 1st Violin - Bass - Oboe
- 2nd Violin - Harp - Horn
- Viola - Clarinet - Saxophone
- Cello - Piano - Trumpet
- Double Bass - Synthesizer - Trombone
- Flute - Drums - Percussion
Official website: http://en.metropoleorkest.nl
UTOPIA
The Metropole Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It shines in the dark and it grows within me
You're holding my hand but you don't understand
So where I am going you won't be in the end
I'm dreaming in colors of getting the chance
I'm dreaming of china the perfect romance
The search of the door to open your mind
Help us, we're drowning
So closed up inside
Why does it rain, rain, rain down on utopia?
Why does it have to kill the ideal of who we are?
Why does it rain, rain, rain down on utopia?
How will the lights die down, telling us who we are?
I'm searching for answers not given for free
They live inside as they lie within me
You hold my hand but you don't understand
Taking the road all alone in the end
I'm dreaming in colors, no boundaries again
Dreaming the dream we all seem to share
The search of the door to open your mind
The search of the cure of mankind
Help us, we're drowning
So closed up inside
Why does it rain, rain, rain down on utopia?
Why does it have to kill the ideal of who we are?
Why does it rain, rain, rain down on utopia?
How will the lights die down, telling us who we are?
Why does it rain, rain, rain down on utopia?
Why does it have to kill the ideal of who we are?
Why does it rain, rain, rain down on utopia?
How will the lights die down, telling us who we are?
Why does it rain?
The Metropole Orchestra's song Utopia is an introspective ballad about the human condition and the search for meaning and purpose in life. The lyrics reflect a burning desire to live and roam free, to dream in colors and to pursue a perfect romance. The singer expresses a deep sense of isolation and a feeling of being misunderstood by someone close to them, someone who is holding their hand but doesn't understand where they are going, or why.
The search for answers and the longing for a cure for mankind form the central themes of the song. The singer is searching for a door to open their mind and access the knowledge they need to make sense of their existence. The chorus, with its repetitive questions - "Why does it rain, rain, rain down on utopia? Why does it have to kill the ideal of who we are?" - emphasizes the struggles and obstacles that we face as individuals and as a society. The final lines - "How will the lights die down, telling us who we are?" - hint at the possibility of enlightenment and self-awareness, but also at the inevitability of mortality and the transience of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Burning desire to live and roam free
A strong yearning to live a life of freedom and adventure
It shines in the dark and it grows within me
This desire is ever-present, even in difficult times and it only intensifies over time
You're holding my hand but you don't understand
Although I have someone with me, they don't fully comprehend my desire for freedom
So where I am going you won't be in the end
Their lack of understanding will eventually lead to them not being a part of my journey towards this freedom
I'm dreaming in colors of getting the chance
These desires are so vividly imagined that it feels like they could be real
I'm dreaming of china the perfect romance
The perfect romance symbolizes a better, ideal future that is hoped for
The search of the door to open your mind
The desire to help others be more open-minded like myself
The search of the cure of mankind
A desire to solve the world's problems to create a better world for all
Help us, we're drowning So closed up inside
A plea for help in a difficult situation where there is no clear way out and it feels like there is no one to turn to
Why does it rain, rain, rain down on utopia?
Why does the world seem to always make things hard for us to reach an ideal state? Why are there always obstacles to overcome?
Why does it have to kill the ideal of who we are?
Why do the trials of life always seem to force us to compromise who we aspire to be?
How will the lights die down, telling us who we are?
As we face these struggles, how will we maintain our sense of identity and purpose?
I'm searching for answers not given for free
Life's answers and solutions aren't always accessible or easy to come by
They live inside as they lie within me
The answers that I seek are within myself, but they may be buried deep within me
Taking the road all alone in the end
Ultimately, it may be necessary to pursue this path alone, without support or understanding from others
I'm dreaming in colors, no boundaries again
The hope of a limitless future free of constraint
Dreaming the dream we all seem to share
Despite differences, a shared desire for an ideal future
Help us, we're drowning So closed up inside
A reminder of the difficulty of the current situation and the plea for help
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Gibson, Daniel Bjorn / Den Andel, Sharon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dave H10
One of the most underrated musicians ever. He is amazing always has been.
WolfandCatUnite
yes
Gary Kemplen
Awesome musician and till this day he admits that he cannot read music.
Rannveig Gunnarsson
Yes, it is TRUE. Wish I was there.
Brett Ogata
I lived in the Netherlands and I miss the Dutch, also such a great musician who never had a number one record or a Grammy. His music stands the test of time.
Rafael Rosado
Way beyond good. I truly enjoyed this unexpected turn of video surfing. Loved this dude since the 70's and amazed of the variety and quality of work he's provided and the fact that he's still in motion to this day. THANK YOU FOR THIS TREASURE. Also, thanks to Mr. Todd Rundgren.
brianmonger
Wow what an amazing show, music at its best. To Todd and all the players one of the best concerts I have seen.
stan proctor
There are those among us who know and have always known - Todd is the real deal, there is no other...
Jim Malmo
Das right Stan da man!!
fluffy1973
I'm beyond speechless, every time I listen to this concert I'm blown away by the quality of Todd's voice. his range tone and control, the sheer operatic quality of his voice at this age is beyond remarkable. Also if "pretending to care" doesn't break your heart... you're not human..