In 1756, English composer William Boyce became Master of the King's Musick. He was expected to provide music for theatrical productions at court and odes for royal occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and funerals. Boyce decided to gather the purely instrumental pieces from these larger works into a set of Eight Symphonies in 1760. Most of the symphonies follow the three-movement scheme established in the Italian opera overture (fast-slow-fast). Written between 1737 and 1756, they are in the late Baroque style that was so dominated by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) in London during that period.

The Symphony No. 7 was originally the overture to the ode Gentle lyre begin the strain written in 1740. Its three movements are based on the Italian opera overture three-part standard. The first movement has two parts, Andante-Spirituoso, beginning with the French overture style, slow, grand, and dramatic in binary form (AABB). This leads to a lively fugue in triplet rhythm, more Italian in nature. The Moderato, also in binary form, starts in minor and has the feeling of a light gavotte. The melancholy character of its melodies, use of ornaments, and unique harmonic twists signal the expressiveness of the Bach brothers, Carl Philippe Emanuel (1714-88) and Johann Christian (1735-82). The last movement is a hearty, infectious Jigg (Allegro assai) in triple meter. Utilizing binary form, there is a brief, unexpected shift to minor in section B. In general, this symphony is conservative in form and style, and even somewhat dated by the time of its publication. But, its charm and appeal is undeniable, making Boyce a fresh, if not innovative presence of the late English Baroque.

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