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.
Girls
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To be at the top
Making cash money
Go and tour all
around the world
Tell stories about
all the young girls
Have a blast
Travel fast
Make it last
Girls rock the world!
You hear me
Up, up and away in my beautiful, my beautiful
Up, up and away in my beautiful, my beautiful balloon
The lyrics of The Prodigy's song, "Girls," are about the life of a famous musician who has achieved a high level of success. The first few lines express the idea of making it to the top and enjoying the perks of fame, such as making a lot of money and touring all around the world. The lines "tell stories about all the young girls" suggest that the musician has played an active role in the lifestyle that often accompanies fame and fortune.
The chorus highlights the excitement and fun that come with traveling and living the high life. The lines "travel fast, have a blast" show that the musician is having a great time and enjoying all the experiences that the world has to offer. The final line of the chorus, "Girls rock the world!" is a positive message about the power of women and celebrates their influence on the world.
In the bridge, the song takes a turn, featuring a sample from the 1967 song "Up, Up and Away" by The 5th Dimension. The addition of this sample provides a contrasting image of a balloon ride, which is peaceful and serene, in contrast to the wild lifestyle of a famous musician. The sample also serves to emphasize the idea of travel and adventure that is expressed throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Imagine how it would be
Consider the possibility of how it could feel
To be at the top
To have achieved the highest level of success
Making cash money
Earning large sums of money
Go and tour all around the world
Travel to different countries and explore their cultures
Tell stories about all the young girls
Share tales about the experiences with youthful women
Travel fast
Voyage rapidly
Have a blast
Have an enjoyable time
Travel fast
Journey quickly
Make it last
Produce an enduring experience
Girls rock the world!
Females have an immense impact on the world!
You hear me
Can you comprehend my message?
Up, up and away in my beautiful, my beautiful
Rising high in my lovely and exquisite
Up, up and away in my beautiful, my beautiful balloon
Soaring in the sky in my exquisite hot air balloon
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: F Cooke, Hubert Eaves, J Martinez, James Williams, Liam Howlett, HUBERT BARCLAY III EAVES, COOKE, J. MARTINEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ValleyRC aka Budget RC
I remember how much people hated this when it came out because it didn't sound like the previous album but looking back it really didn't sound like anything other than the Prodigy and it just so happened to be bloody brilliant. It's funny how we can't see the bigger picture sometimes. Looking back, the change in sound was evolutionary and relatively mild but people were disowning them at the time.
georgespahouse Official
They weren’t ready for it back in 2004
Paranomalous
When you reject the system, the system rejects you.
Scrimjaw
I loved it, it was defo them back on form after babys got a temper.
Nath John
I loved Girls the moment I heard it, reminded me a lot of the songs off Expierence, it's defientley a different sound to what most of the newer Prodigy fans at the time were used to after Gilted Generation and Fat of the Land but the original fans would recognise it. Liam Howlett is a genius.
The Guy
I'm with them since out of space and i just love the way they re-use sounds to push it further
_BpeguHa_
Привет всем из России!! Блин эта песня спустя даже столько лет,звучит офигено
M O E K er
Of course my friend, welcome
Виталий П
Лучше треки времени элетроклэша. 🤩
The Fox 88
Damn this track just doesnt age. What an absolute banger.