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.
Break and Enter
The Prodigy Lyrics
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Bring it down to earth
Bring it down to earth
The lyrics "Bring it down to earth" in The Prodigy's song Break and Enter refers to the idea of grounding oneself and coming back to reality. The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the importance of bringing things into perspective and avoiding getting lost in one's thoughts or emotions. The phrase can also be interpreted as a call to action, urging the listener to take action and make a change in their life.
The song is known for its energetic and intense beats, with the lyrics serving as an added layer to the overall experience. The Prodigy's music often includes social commentary and critiques of mainstream society, with Break and Enter being no exception. The chorus of "Bring it down to earth" can be seen as a criticism of those who are detached from reality and consumed by materialistic desires or superficial lifestyles.
Overall, the lyrics in Break and Enter serve to both energize and ground the listener, encouraging a sense of self-awareness and social responsibility.
Line by Line Meaning
Bring it down to earth
Let's take things from the realm of the abstract and make it practical
Bring it down to earth
Don't keep floating in a dream-like state, let's focus on reality
Bring it down to earth
Stop being too idealistic and simplify your thinking to reach feasible solutions
Contributed by Connor L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Andreas Hansson
Liam Howlett is a music genius
The Music Experience
He got me into making electro tunes. The way he overlays to give it depth.
Sverhnovichi
Инженер звука - это не пустой звук 😎☝️bigup for Maestro🔥🎩
Gary Siddons
Absolutely
Smiley Man
MASTERPIECE OF EXCELENCE
ken lawson
this was the moment the Prodigy moved from underground to mainstream and electronic punks cleared out Britpop, moving from niche electronic music to a span of appeal to so many genres. Long live the Prodigy.
sturdeehouse
I completely missed britpop, quite pleased about that
Woof Dog
People don’t realise that when they released Fat Of The Land the Prodigy were one of the biggest bands/groups in the world.It went to number one in loads of countries.For a dance band that started off as underground to cross over to the mainstream and not really conform & ‘play the game’..that is incredible.I don’t think any musical group could touch them between 95-98 as a live act..simply amazing
Tim Cann
I was there. When Keef came out in the bubble everyone went mental. Total rock star. I seem to remember him falling off the stage too. Didn’t see it on here. The mind plays tricks. You play tricks back.
The Music Experience
They must have edited that out the falling off stage part. I never knew that .