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.
Light Up the Sky
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here come the dance we instigate
(Light up!)
Radiate
Ten thousand degrees
Radiate
Ten thousand degrees
(Light up!)
(Radiate!)
Light up the sky, illuminate
Here come the dance we instigate
Light up the sky, illuminate
Here come the dance we instigate
(Light up!)
Radiate
Ten thousand degrees
Radiate
Ten thousand degrees
Light up the sky, illuminate
Here come the dance we instigate
Light up the sky, illuminate
Here come the dance we instigate
Light up the sky, illuminate
Here come the dance we instigate
Light up the sky, illuminate
Here come the dance we instigate
(Lighter!)
(Radiate!)
Light up the sky, illuminate
Here come the dance we instigate
Light up the sky, illuminate
Here come the dance we instigate
The lyrics to The Prodigy's song Light Up the Sky are a call to action for the listener to illuminate and radiate. The use of phrases like "here come the dance we instigate" and "light up the sky, illuminate" suggest a unifying and rebellious spirit, urging us to take action and stand out from the crowd. It is a song about empowerment and a reminder to assert one's own identity and uniqueness through dance and self-expression.
Additionally, the repeated call to "radiate ten thousand degrees" amplifies an energy in the listener that can inspire action. This serves to further the themes of self-expression and empowerment that are presented throughout the song. The repetition of "light up the sky, illuminate" and "here come the dance we instigate" underlines the sense of urgency to act and be recognized.
Overall, The Prodigy's Light Up the Sky is a powerful and motivating song that encourages individuals to take control of their lives through self-expression and action. It serves as a reminder to embrace our unique identities and shine as brightly as possible.
Line by Line Meaning
Light up the sky, illuminate
Let's create a bright, shining spectacle and enlighten everything around us.
Here come the dance we instigate
We're about to start a dance that will stir up everyone's energy.
(Light up!)
Let's make it even brighter and more intense.
Radiate
Let's emit light and energy.
Ten thousand degrees
Let's make it really hot and fiery.
(Radiate!)
Let's keep emitting that intense energy.
(Lighter!)
Make the flames even higher!
Light up the sky, illuminate
Let's create a bright, shining spectacle and enlighten everything around us.
Here come the dance we instigate
We're about to start a dance that will stir up everyone's energy.
Light up the sky, illuminate
Let's create a bright, shining spectacle and enlighten everything around us.
Here come the dance we instigate
We're about to start a dance that will stir up everyone's energy.
Light up the sky, illuminate
Let's create a bright, shining spectacle and enlighten everything around us.
Here come the dance we instigate
We're about to start a dance that will stir up everyone's energy.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Oliver Rhys Burden, Liam Paul Paris Howlett, Keith Andrew Palmer, Jiri Schelinger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CZsWorld
0:16 in this song. What a time to be alive.
@craigsimons6060
It's best enjoyed with moon pie :D
@user-qu3ic3lk9t
you said it
@neophytetheprodigy2187
Looks like the bus from Harry Potter lel
@neophytetheprodigy2187
0:21 you can see the wheel
@holytaco.
reminds me of the megalovania timestamp
@projectsirius
RIP Keith Flint. You were such an inspiration. Thank you for everything.
@gueroprovi87
"Now
The writings on the wall
It won't go away"
@user-ow3jh2go5k
F
@silvanaflores3060
😪😪😪😪😪 such a legend!