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.
Memphis Bells
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lick it twice
C'mon put that shit on ice
C'mon, c'mon
Lick it once
Gonna lick it-twice
The lyrics of The Prodigy's song Memphis Bells seem to mean different things to different people. This is because the song is largely instrumental and the lyrics are few and far between. However, the above lyrics seem to be urging someone to slow down and take their time with something. The first two lines, "Lick it once, lick it twice," can be interpreted as a suggestion to enjoy something slowly and savor every moment. These lines are repeated again later on in the song, reinforcing this idea.
The next line, "C'mon put that shit on ice," can be taken to mean that whatever the person is doing or enjoying, they need to cool down and take a break. It could also be interpreted as a call to chill out and not take things too seriously. This is reinforced by the repetition of "C'mon, c'mon."
Overall, the lyrics of Memphis Bells are meant to be playful and fun. They urge the listener to slow down and enjoy life, and not take things too seriously.
Line by Line Meaning
Lick it once
Savor the moment and enjoy the experience to its fullest extent
Lick it twice
Immerse yourself in the pleasure and indulge in it even more
C'mon put that shit on ice
Take a break and let the intensity of the experience cool down before continuing
C'mon, c'mon
Encouragement to keep going and not stop the enjoyment of the moment
Lick it once
Reiteration of savoring and enjoying the experience
Gonna lick it-twice
Determination to fully immerse oneself in the experience and indulge even more
C'mon put that shit on ice
Repeat of taking a break and letting the intensity cool down
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CONCETT KIRSCHNER, LIAM HOWLETT, NEIL MCLELLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SmallerDrums
Still gives me goosebumps in 2020.
TheMajin7
This song is full of genius! Genius everywhere! Unbelievably musical and imaginative! Spectacular song!
Sawn Off
Don't get how song people find this tune to be crap, I think it's unbelievably catchy!!
expertmax
Who said this tune was crap??
Coin Cambodia
song people?
Jon Posadny
these dudes were so far ahead of the game back then
Colin Murphy
They always were.
Tim smith
They still are!
Adam Urbaniak
my favorite from this album! :)
curtkobajn
mój też ;)