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.
Give Me a Signal
The Prodigy Lyrics
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Give me a signal or you'll wear me
Give me a signal, can you hear me?
Give me a signal or you'll wear me
Signal
Give me a signal, give, give me a signal
Right on the edge
Right on the edge
Right on the edge
Right on the edge
Give me a signal, can you hear me?
Atomic energy, emergency
Give me a signal or you'll wear me
Right on the edge into the cavalry
Signal
Give me a signal, give, give me a signal
Give me a signal, give, give me a signal
Give me a signal, can you hear me?
Give me a signal or you'll wear me
Signal
Give me a signal
Give me a signal
Give me a signal
Right on the edge
Right on the edge
Right on the edge
Right on the edge
Right on the edge
Right on the edge
The lyrics of The Prodigy's song Give Me a Signal showcase a sense of urgency and the need for communication. The repeated request for a signal shows a desperation to connect with someone as if their life depends on it. The lyrics imply that without a response or some sort of signal, the singer will be worn down or possibly destroyed. The line "right on the edge" suggests that the singer is possibly in a precarious situation and needs help urgently.
The line "Atomic energy, emergency" adds to the urgency of the situation and creates an image of a situation that is potentially explosive or catastrophic. The use of military terms such as "calvary" implies that the situation may be violent or that it may require quick action.
Overall, the lyrics of Give Me a Signal convey a sense of urgency and danger. The need for communication is emphasized throughout the song, mirroring the modern world's reliance on technology and instant messaging.
Line by Line Meaning
Give me a signal, can you hear me?
Asking for communication and confirmation of being heard.
Give me a signal or you'll wear me
Without a clear signal, the situation will become stressful and exhausting.
Give me a signal, give, give me a signal
Repeated request for communication and confirmation.
Right on the edge
Being very close to a limit or point of no return.
Atomic energy, emergency
The situation has escalated to a critical level and urgent attention is needed.
Right on the edge into the cavalry
The situation requires immediate action and help from others.
Signal
The emphasis on the importance of clear communication and confirmation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Olly Burden, Liam Howlett, Barns Courtney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind