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.
Breathe
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Breathe the pressure
Come play my game, I'll test ya
Psychosomatic, addict, insane
Breathe the pressure
Come play my game, I'll test ya
Psychosomatic, addict, insane
Inhale, inhale, you're the victim
Come play my game
Exhale, exhale, exhale
Breathe the pressure
Come play my game, I'll test ya
Psychosomatic, addict, insane
Breathe the pressure
Come play my game, I'll test ya
Psychosomatic, addict, insane
Come play my game
Inhale, inhale, you're the victim
Come play my game
Exhale, exhale, exhale
Come breathe with me
Breathe with me
Breathe the pressure
Come play my game, I'll test ya
Psychosomatic, addict, insane
Breathe the pressure
Come play my game, I'll test ya
Psychosomatic, addict, insane
Come play my game
Inhale, inhale, you're the victim
Come play my game
Exhale, exhale, exhale
Breathe with me
Breathe the pressure
Come play my game, I'll test ya
Psychosomatic, addict, insane
Breathe the pressure
Come play my game, I'll test ya
Psychosomatic, addict, insane
Come play my game
Inhale, inhale, you're the victim
Come play my game
Exhale, exhale, exhale
The Prodigy's song "Breathe" is a high-energy, intense track that urges listeners to inhale deeply and immerse themselves in the music. The lyrics are designed to create a sense of pressure and urgency, with the singer inviting the listener to play his game and be tested by the actions and emotions that are evoked. The use of repetition, particularly in the phrase "come play my game," reinforces this sense of urgency and invites the listener to give in to the temptation of the moment.
The lyrics of "Breathe" also contain a number of references to addiction and insanity, suggesting that the singer's game is not one to be taken lightly. The use of phrasing like "psychosomatic, addict, insane" adds a darker tone to the song, implying that the experience it evokes is one that may be difficult to escape or control. By encouraging listeners to inhale and exhale deeply, the song's lyrics create a sense of physical engagement with the music, drawing them in and immersing them in its rhythms and intensity.
Overall, the lyrics of "Breathe" reflect the high-energy, intense sound and vibe of the song, urging listeners to let go and fully embrace the experience of the music. The repetition and suggestive phrasing create a sense of pressure and urgency, engaging the listener both physically and emotionally.
Line by Line Meaning
Breathe with me
Join me in experiencing intense pressure and mental strain.
Breathe the pressure
Take in the high stakes of this situation and feel the tension.
Come play my game, I'll test ya
Participate in my challenging and competitive game, in which I will push you to your limits.
Psychosomatic, addict, insane
The rush of this experience is so intense that it may affect your physical or mental health, but you are addicted to it anyway.
Inhale, inhale, you're the victim
Take in the experience deeply and become a willing participant, but recognize that you are surrendering control and power to me.
Exhale, exhale, exhale
Release the tension and anxiety of this experience through deep breaths.
Come breathe with me
Join me in this intense and addictive experience that is both thrilling and potentially dangerous.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Keith Andrew Palmer, Keith Charles Flint, Liam Howlett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@neelghai
If you are watching this classic in 2024, then just remember, you have got this and that you are a Legend❗💯 😉
@death.for.breakfast
No u
@seantheshat
i could do the same look with my balding hair. i should try it.
@kelst75
Xtra points if you partied to this at the time!
@FoveDesan
I think the legend is Keith.... But ok.. And watching or.. Listening to this with same passion as yesrs ago? 😏
@dmitryivanov5299
Привет из Новосибирска! )
@Pimthrow
I worked on that film set. Was the guy who switched the light on and off all the time. I feel old.
@jamessfallon4824
Your light turning skills are excellent...
@Pimthrow
James's Fallon
Yep. But there is not much work for a professional light switcher these days :/
@angeldsouza777
Nifty 😂 See you in Oxford Street @ Xmas?! Fantastic vid - you helped make it no matter what role you played 😊