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.
Music Reach
The Prodigy Lyrics
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One, two, three, four
The music reach, the music reach
The music reach, the music reach
One two, one two, one two three four
The music reach, the music reach, the music reach, the music reach
One, two, three, four
One, one, one, two, three, four
Make me wanna shout
Make me wanna shout
Make me wanna shout
Make me wanna shout
Make me wanna shout
Make me wanna shout
Make me wanna shout
Make me wanna shout
Come on
Come on
Come on
Come on
Come on
Come on
Come on
Come on
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
One, two, three, four (come on)
Make me wanna shout
Make me wanna shout
Make me wanna shout
Make me wanna shout
Make me wanna shout
Make me wanna shout
Make me wanna shout
Make me wanna shout
Make me wanna shout (one, two, three, four)
The music reach, the music reach
The music reach, the music reach
The music reach, the music reach (one, two, three, four)
The music reach, the music reach, the music reach (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout (come on)
Make me wanna shout
The lyrics of "Music Reach" by The Prodigy are very minimalistic and repetitive, but they are meant to evoke a feeling of excitement and energy. The song starts off with a simple count-off, one, two, three, four, before the repeated phrase "The music reach" kicks in. This phrase is repeated over and over again, along with the count-off and occasional shouts to "come on" and "make me wanna shout."
The lyrics seem to be about the power of music to excite and energize people. The repeated phrase "the music reach" might suggest the idea that the music has the power to reach people on a deep and emotional level, inspiring them to shout, dance, and connect with others. The insistent nature of the repetition, combined with the driving beats and synths of the music itself, creates a sense of urgency and excitement that propels the song forward.
Overall, while the lyrics of "Music Reach" may be simple, they serve as an effective way to channel the energy of the music and evoke a sense of excitement and connection among listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
One, two, three, four
Starting the song and setting the tempo
The music reach, the music reach
Music is powerful and all-encompassing
One two, one two, one two three four
Reaffirming the tempo
Make me wanna shout
Music is so exciting and energizing that it makes me want to shout
Come on
Encouragement to keep dancing and shouting
The music reach, the music reach (one, two, three, four)
Repeating the idea of how all-encompassing music can be
Make me wanna shout (one, two, three, four)
Reconfirming the excitement and energy that music brings
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Liam Howlett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind