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.
Firestarter
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm the fear addicted, a danger illustrated
I'm a firestarter, twisted firestarter
You're the firestarter, twisted firestarter
I'm a firestarter, twisted firestarter
I'm the bitch you hated, filth infatuated, yeah
I'm the pain you tasted, fell intoxicated
You're the firestarter, twisted firestarter
I'm the self inflicted, mind detonator, yeah
I'm the one infected, twisted animator
I'm a firestarter, twisted firestarter
You're the firestarter, twisted firestarter
I'm a firestarter, twisted firestarter starter
The lyrics of The Prodigy's song Firestarter are a manifesto of a wild and rebellious spirit, a voice of a troublemaker who seeks to break the molds and push the boundaries of what society deems acceptable. The opening lines of the song set the tone for this attitude with the singer declaring themselves as the "trouble starter, punkin' instigator," a fearless figure who thrives on challenging the status quo. The singer continues to describe themselves as a "danger illustrated," someone who embodies the very essence of recklessness and unpredictability.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more intense, with the singer confessing to being a "firestarter, twisted firestarter," someone who delights in causing chaos and destruction. Tied into this is an emphasis on addiction and the pleasure derived from stimuli deemed destructive or frightening. The singer seems to revel in their power to create fear and unrest, describing themselves as the embodiment of danger.
Overall, the lyrics of Firestarter serve as a bold statement of rebellion and defiance, challenging the norms of society and celebrating the power of the individual to create chaos and destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the trouble starter, punkin' instigator
I enjoy causing problems and provoking people
I'm the fear addicted, a danger illustrated
I'm addicted to feeling fear and danger
I'm a firestarter, twisted firestarter
I am someone who starts fires, both literally and metaphorically, for my own twisted pleasure
You're the firestarter, twisted firestarter
I see that you, too, are a fellow twisted firestarter like myself
I'm the bitch you hated, filth infatuated, yeah
I'm the person you despise, and yet you also can't help but be drawn to my filthy ways
I'm the pain you tasted, fell intoxicated
I am the source of your pain, and yet you keep coming back for more, addicted to the chaos that I bring
I'm the self inflicted, mind detonator, yeah
I am the one who causes my own pain, and yet I revel in it, because it fuels my twisted desires
I'm the one infected, twisted animator
I am the one who has been infected with an insatiable desire for twisted acts, and I use my creativity to bring them to life
I'm a firestarter, twisted firestarter
Once again, I am emphasizing that I am a twisted firestarter, someone who revels in the chaos and destruction that I cause.
You're the firestarter, twisted firestarter
Once again, I recognize that you are just like me, a fellow twisted firestarter who also enjoys the thrill of causing destruction.
I'm a firestarter, twisted firestarter starter
This final line is just a repetition of the earlier line, once again driving home the fact that I am a twisted firestarter who takes pleasure in causing chaos and destruction.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kim Deal, Jonathan Edward Stephen Jeczalik, Gary Michael Langan, Liam Howlett, Anne Jennifer Dudley, Paul Robert Morley, Trevor Charles Horn, Keith Charles Flint
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@prappsy3028
My Dad always joked about how he wanted this played at his funeral. Then in 2018 he took his own life, only a few months before Keith did the same thing. Me and my brother wanted it played at the cremation service but we got overruled (I guess it may not have been to everyone's taste!). Shame as it would have been a great way to honour his sense of humour. At least we got to play it at the wake.
@Tombombadillo999
Funny how the people that attended the funeral process had the last word about the music.. may ur dad Rest in Peace bro! He is in a better place i can assure u! 🙏❤️
@ssjwes
Well your Dad didn't ask for it to be played(seriously) so I can see why you'd back down. If he really wanted it, I hope you would've told everyone to f off and if the funeral home didn't allow it, I'd blare it on the radio after everything was over.
I lost my Dad last year(illness) in July, 5 days after my birthday. He tried to take his own life(with my shotgun) months before and I stopped him. My mother did the same(but she shot herself .22 rifle, survived, died later of illness) when I was a kid. They're both in a better place. This world is doo doo. Glad I don't have kids. I'd go nuts worrying.
edit for clarity?
@spontater2115
your dad was a man of culture...
@JimmyBergman7
@@ssjwes Jesus is God 🦁 and only way to heaven and escape eternal hellfire
@chrisxd61
Rest in Peace to your pops bro🙏 he’s in a better place
@siriminou3741
I miss you Angel ❤❤❤ R.I.P. Is 04.03.2024 and Nobody is here?
@user-bt8ih9eo9o
😢😢😢😢😢😢😢
@sarahaha435
When you're having a bad day and you decide to Keith it out! It works every time! R.I.P. Mr Flint! ❤️🔥🧨🔥💪🎶
@courtneyevrrlyn9644
Right ❤