The Prodigy first emerged in the underground rave scene in the early 1990s and achieved popularity and worldwide recognition with UK number one singles such as "Firestarter" and "Breathe", both singles coming from their UK and US chart topping album The Fat of the Land (1997). A third single from the album, “Smack My Bitch Up”, was also successful. They earned titles like "the premiere dance act for the alternative masses" and "the Godfathers of Rave", and remain one of the most successful electronic acts of all time. They have sold an estimated 25 million records worldwide, and won numerous music awards during their career, including two Brit Awards for Best British Dance Act, three MTV Video Music Awards, two Kerrang! Awards, five MTV Europe Music Awards, and received two Grammy Award nominations.
The Prodigy were founded in Braintree, Essex, in 1990 by keyboardist and songwriter Liam Howlett. He had taken piano lessons in his youth and gained the ability to play difficult passages in just a few run-throughs. After he decided to pursue a music career, Howlett met dancer and vocalist Keith Flint in mid-1989 at a rave at which Howlett was DJing. After Flint requested Howlett make a mix tape for him, Howlett obliged, returning a cassette several days later with a collection of his own songs on the other side. Howlett had scratched the word "Prodigy" onto the cassette, the same name as the Moog Prodigy analogue synthesiser, and Howlett's moniker. The tape was well-received by Flint and keyboardist Leeroy Thornhill who developed new dance sequences to the music and suggested to Howlett they begin a group together. They were soon joined by MC and vocalist Maxim, then known as Maxim Reality, and female dancer and vocalist Sharky, a friend of Flint's. Together they became the first line-up of the Prodigy.
On 4 March 2019, Keith Flint was found dead at his home in Essex, just weeks after playing six live dates in Australia and New Zealand. On 5 March, the band announced on Twitter that "all forthcoming concerts in 2019 would be canceled, effective immediately".
Following Flint's death, fans began using the Twitter hashtag "Firestarter4Number1" on various social media platforms to get "Firestarter" to top the British singles charts again. This was done out of respect for Keith Flint and to raise awareness of suicide among men.
On 20 August 2019, one day before his 48th birthday, Liam Howlett posted on the band's official Instagram page, saying he is "back in the studio making noise [...] brand new Prodigy tunes are gonna roll", referring to his intention to keep on releasing music under the Prodigy moniker.
Along with the Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim, the Prodigy have been credited as pioneers of the big beat genre, which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s. The Prodigy, however, is not considered entirely representative of the genre as their production "often reflected the more intelligent edge of trip-hop, and rarely broke into the mindless arena of true big beat" according to AllMusic. The Prodigy are also considered alternative dance, techno, electronica, breakbeat hardcore, and rave.
Liam Howlett cited early electro as a big influence, mentioning tunes like "Clear" by American music group Cybotron and "Al Naafiysh" by Hashim. Liam Howlett also cited The Bomb Squad, Public Enemy, and Rage Against the Machine as influences.
Boom Boom Tap
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Boom boom tap, boom boom tap
Tick tick bang, tick tick bang
Tick tick bang, bang bang bang
Boom boom tap, boom boom tap
Boom boom tap, boom boom tap
Tick tick bang, tick tick bang
Boom boom tap, boom boom tap
Boom boom tap, boom boom tap
Tick tick bang, tick tick bang
Tick tick bang
Fuck you!
Boom, boom, boom, tap
Boom boom tap, boom boom tap
Boom boom tap, boom boom tap
Tick tick bang, tick tick bang
Tick tick bang, bang bang bang
Boom boom tap, boom boom tap
Boom boom tap, boom boom tap
Tick tick bang, tick tick bang
Tick tick bang, bang bang bang
Boom boom tap, boom boom tap
Boom boom tap, boom boom tap
Tick tick bang, tick tick bang
Tick tick bang
Fuck you!
Boom, boom, boom, tap
Boom boom tap, boom boom tap
Boom boom tap, boom boom tap
Tick tick bang, tick tick bang
Tick tick bang
Fuck you!
Boom, boom, tap
Boom, boom, tap
Boom, boom, tap
The Prodigy's song "Boom Boom Tap" is a charged electro track that features a repetitive and simplistic chorus of "Boom boom tap, boom boom tap" and "Tick tick bang, tick tick bang". The song captures the energy of electronic music with its pounding beat and distorted synths but the lyrics themselves are very basic and almost repetitive to the point of absurdity. The lyrics present a feeling of aggression as the chorus "tick tick bang, bang bang bang" hints towards violence and raw power. The final "fuck you" at the end of the chorus is a direct challenge to the listener and adds to the confrontational tone of the song.
While the song is famous for its intense and driving beat, it's worth noting that it's the lyrics and the anger behind them that really set it apart. The repetition of the chorus creates a hypnotic effect that's almost overwhelming, while the focus on violence and raw power create a feeling of tension and aggression that can be unsettling. It's a primal electronic track that taps into the darker aspects of human nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Boom boom tap, boom boom tap
Rhythm pattern of a beat: two bass drum hits followed by two snare hits
Tick tick bang, tick tick bang
Sound of ticking clock followed by an explosive bang
Tick tick bang, bang bang bang
Repetition of the same ticking clock and explosive bang sound
Boom boom tap, boom boom tap
Rhythm pattern of a beat: two bass drum hits followed by two snare hits
Tick tick bang, tick tick bang
Sound of ticking clock followed by an explosive bang
Tick tick bang, bang bang bang
Repetition of the same ticking clock and explosive bang sound
Boom boom tap, boom boom tap
Rhythm pattern of a beat: two bass drum hits followed by two snare hits
Tick tick bang, tick tick bang
Sound of ticking clock followed by an explosive bang
Tick tick bang
Sound of ticking clock followed by an explosive bang
Fuck you!
An angry exclamation, used to express contempt, anger or dissatisfaction towards someone
Boom, boom, boom, tap
Rhythm pattern of a beat: three bass drum hits followed by one snare hit
Boom boom tap, boom boom tap
Rhythm pattern of a beat: two bass drum hits followed by two snare hits
Tick tick bang, tick tick bang
Sound of ticking clock followed by an explosive bang
Tick tick bang, bang bang bang
Repetition of the same ticking clock and explosive bang sound
Boom boom tap, boom boom tap
Rhythm pattern of a beat: two bass drum hits followed by two snare hits
Tick tick bang, tick tick bang
Sound of ticking clock followed by an explosive bang
Tick tick bang, bang bang bang
Repetition of the same ticking clock and explosive bang sound
Boom boom tap, boom boom tap
Rhythm pattern of a beat: two bass drum hits followed by two snare hits
Tick tick bang, tick tick bang
Sound of ticking clock followed by an explosive bang
Tick tick bang
Sound of ticking clock followed by an explosive bang
Fuck you!
An angry exclamation, used to express contempt, anger or dissatisfaction towards someone
Boom, boom, boom, tap
Rhythm pattern of a beat: three bass drum hits followed by one snare hit
Boom boom tap, boom boom tap
Rhythm pattern of a beat: two bass drum hits followed by two snare hits
Tick tick bang, tick tick bang
Sound of ticking clock followed by an explosive bang
Tick tick bang
Sound of ticking clock followed by an explosive bang
Fuck you!
An angry exclamation, used to express contempt, anger or dissatisfaction towards someone
Boom, boom, tap
Rhythm pattern of a beat: two bass drum hits followed by one snare hit
Boom, boom, tap
Rhythm pattern of a beat: two bass drum hits followed by one snare hit
Boom, boom, tap
Rhythm pattern of a beat: two bass drum hits followed by one snare hit
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Liam Howlett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind