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.
Fight Fire with Fire
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hit rewind, sounds to melt your motherfucking face, go!
Hit rewind, sounds to melt your motherfucking face, go!
Hit rewind, sounds to melt your motherfucking face, go!
Hit rewind, sounds to melt your motherfucking face, go!
Hit rewind, sounds to melt your
Go!
Horrible circle breaks, then worship the freaks
The dog is barking mad, has gone and run away with no leash
The heat is coming, stop running, leave your blood on the streets
We stick together, stormy weather, we don't fuck with police
Go!
You bet you can't hold me down
We fight fire with fire
We fight fire with fire
We fight fire with fire
We fight fire, we fight fire with fire
We fight fire, we fight (Motherfucking face)
Valiant troops, camouflage my soul if I cry
They don't give a shit whether you live or you die
Feel the heat and prepare for war
Raise your fist and reverse the war
We fight fire with fire
We fight fire with fire
We fight fire with fire
We fight fire, we fight fire with fire
We fight fire, we fight (Motherfucking face)
Hit rewind, sounds to melt your motherfucking face, go!
Hit rewind, sounds to melt your motherfucking face
Hit rewind, sounds to melt your motherfucking face, go!
Hit rewind, sounds to melt your motherfucking face, go!
Hit rewind, sounds to melt your motherfucking face, go!
Hit rewind, sounds to melt your motherfucking face
Go, go, go!
We fight fire with fire
We fight fire with fire
We fight fire with fire
We fight fire, we fight fire with fire
We fight fire with fire
The Prodigy's song "Fire" is a high-energy track that conveys themes of rebellion and confrontation. The opening lyrics, "Hit rewind, sounds to melt your motherfucking face, go!" sets the tone for a fiery, explosive song. The lines "Horrible circle breaks, then worship the freaks" suggest breaking away from conformity and embracing individualism. The image of a barking, runaway dog with no leash symbolizes the chaos and lack of control. The line "We stick together, stormy weather, we don't fuck with police" reinforces the theme of rebellion and resistance against authority.
The chorus "We fight fire with fire" is repeated throughout the song, serving as the battle cry for resistance. The lyrics suggest that the valiant troops are camouflaging their souls and preparing for war, as they raise their fists and reverse the war. The repeated phrase "sounds to melt your motherfucking face" reinforces the aggressive tone of the song and emphasizes the sonic intensity of the instrumentals.
Overall, "Fire" is a powerful and passionate song that encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and fight against oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Hit rewind, sounds to melt your motherfucking face, go!
Get ready for some mind-blowing sounds that will blow your mind away. Hit rewind and listen again, emotions are going to be high.
Horrible circle breaks, then worship the freaks
Breaking free from society's norm, we recognize and appreciate the oddities in life.
The dog is barking mad, has gone and run away with no leash
The rage is uncontrollable, we are free from restraints.
The heat is coming, stop running, leave your blood on the streets
The intensity is rising, there's no escape. Stand your ground and fight with all you've got.
We stick together, stormy weather, we don't fuck with police
In difficult times, we stand united. We don't take shit from oppressors.
You bet you can't hold me down
We are unstoppable, unbreakable, unbeatable. There's nothing that can bring us down.
We fight fire with fire
We don't back down no matter what's coming our way. We fight back with the same intensity.
Valiant troops, camouflage my soul if I cry
We are brave soldiers, masking our vulnerabilities and emotions behind a façade of strength.
They don't give a shit whether you live or you die
The world can be harsh and unforgiving. Sometimes, we are on our own.
Feel the heat and prepare for war
Recognize the warning signs and be ready for a tough battle ahead.
Raise your fist and reverse the war
Fight back and turn the tides of war in your favor. Never give up.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, BMG Rights Management, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Liam Howlett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Elscorpio606
42 years old, and have loved Prodigy since the start.
@rodrigoramirezahumada6108
Same here, warrior
@vasyakedovnvm_ua
35)
@fattymoomooman1
48 :) and still listening to them...
@andreaphelps4091
55 and still listening love em
@sivader17
38. Guess im a young fan compared to u lot haha.
@darkrider962
This song fucking slaps!! 🔥 🔥
@djscranman
Listening to this with earbuds and that bass is PHAT
@ProphetGamesrus
Вот кому нужно давать звание народных артистов. Музыка разливается по душе, как мед с чайком, после баньки с веником.
@yauhen1982
как же ты прав братишка. качает так, что мураши по коже скачут.