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.
Charly
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
little bit of base
little bit of raas
little bit of base
little bit of raas
little bit of raas
Mummy says: raas
Mummy says: base
Mummy says: base
bbbase
little bit of base
little bit of base
little bit of raas
little bit of base
little bit of raas
little bit of base
little bit of raas
Miaow...
little bit of base
little bit of raas
Miaow...
little bit of base
little bit of raas
little bit of base
little bit of raas
little bit of base
little bit of raas
little bit of raas
The lyrics to The Prodigy's song Charly at first glance may seem nonsensical, but upon closer examination, there may be some underlying meaning. The repeated phrases of "little bit of base" and "little bit of raas" could represent the music itself, as both base and raaas are important elements in electronic dance music. The word "Miaow" may refer to the cat-like sounds often heard in electronic music and could also tie into the cartoon imagery used in the music video. Additionally, the inclusion of "Mummy says" could be referencing authority figures trying to control or limit the enjoyment of the music.
The repetition of these phrases throughout the song could be seen as a chant, encouraging listeners to let go and lose themselves in the music. The simplicity of the lyrics allows the focus to be on the music itself, rather than the words. Overall, the lyrics to Charly may not be the most complex or meaningful, but they serve as a way to enhance the musical experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Miaow...
A cat-like sound effect usually made in reference to the electronic dance music genre.
little bit of base
Refers to the beat and rhythm of the music with emphasis on the bass.
little bit of raas
Refers to the creative and energetic Jamaican dance style called 'rave' or 'ragga'.
Mummy says: raas
Indicates the influence of a parent or guardian who may be admonishing their child for listening to such energetic music.
Mummy says: base
Further emphasizes the child's disregard for parental advice and preference for the music's beat and bass.
bbbase
A variation of the word 'base' with more emphasis on the bass of the music.
Miaow...
Repetition of the cat-like sound effect to reiterate the genre of the music.
little bit of raas
Repetition of the dance style to further emphasize its significance in the music.
Miaow...
Another repetition of the cat-like sound effect to maintain the association with electronic dance music.
little bit of base
Repetition of the importance of the rhythm and bass in the music.
little bit of raas
Further repetition of the Jamaican dance style, emphasizing its significance in the music.
little bit of base
More repetition of the importance of the beat and bass in the music.
little bit of raas
Final repetition of the Jamaican dance style and its significance in the music.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: LIAM PAUL PARIS HOWLETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Strong&Beauty
The Prodigy- легенда! Их вклад в развитие и популиризацию электронной музыки, просто гигантский. Я счастлива, что мне удалось увидеть их живьём. The Prodigy- Это любовь навсегда!
Zak Rahman - I am Karmoon
Howlet's work stands out from the crowd. These drums... man...these drums... the youtube limitation is simply not long enough to rant about how good they are.
Kristopher Hartman
God, it's still sooooo good, even today!
alex
Liam created unbelievable timeless sound. Genius
adjanic
Ah, the old days when this kind of music was on the radio. 2:46 to 3:27 would always send me to the moon.
Bálint Bencsik
Best song to test out new audio equipment.
Tamekia Brown
And X-Cops. So much bass I have to turn my levels down ♡
Voodoo Motion
Had this as my ringtone and kenny's cat sample as message notification sound a while back, it often sparked a few laughs 😂 my dad was obsessed with the prodigy back in 90s and have it blasting away in the car when collecting us from school. Good times!
verapamil07
Bassline is grinding all the time !
angela foster
to all those who like to think they know something, why don't you go and listen to stuff you actually like?!? for me this album is the only prodigy album, it defined our generation. i see them at labrynths 3rd birthday at bagleys in 93, the good old days never fade from your memory no matter how many e's you necked. good times