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 1
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 song "Music Reach 1, 2, 3, 4" by The Prodigy is an energetic and upbeat track that is driven by commanding vocals and a pulsing beat. The repetitive lyrics "The music reach, the music reach" are designed to create a hypnotic effect in the listener, drawing them into the music and encouraging them to dance and move. The call-and-response nature of the song, with the vocalist shouting "Make me wanna shout" and the crowd responding, adds to the overall energy and excitement of the track.
The song is a celebration of the power of music, and how it can bring people together and make them feel alive. The repetitiveness of the lyrics reflects the central idea that music can create a trance-like state where people lose themselves in the beat and rhythm. This message is reinforced by the driving bassline and propulsive drumbeat, which combine to create a sense of urgency and momentum that encourages listeners to move their bodies.
Overall, "Music Reach 1, 2, 3, 4" is a powerful and effective dance track that showcases The Prodigy's ability to create music that is both catchy and enlivening. It is a perfect example of the band's ability to blend different styles and genres into a cohesive whole, and stands as a testament to the power of music to bring people together.
Line by Line Meaning
One, two, three, four
Counting off to start the song
The music reach, the music reach
The power of the music is growing
One two, one two, one two three four
Rhythm is building up as the music reaches new heights
One, one, one, two, three, four
Breaking up the rhythm to add variety
Make me wanna shout
The music is so good that it's impossible not to scream out in excitement
Come on
Urging the listener to get caught up in the music
(one, two, three, four)
Introducing a new countoff to build anticipation
The music reach, the music reach
The music has reached an even higher level than before
Make me wanna shout
The excitement and energy of the music is increasing even more
(come on)
Encouraging the listener to join in with the shouting
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Liam Howlett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@R3C0D
Am I the only teenager here? I only see people in their fourties going back to their youngness. TBH, thanks mom for bringing me up with this music
@joesoares3476
Nah man you're not on your own, I'm 17 and I've been banging this album since I was 10 lol I even have 2 of these albums!!! DON'T ask why hahahaha
@awesomebawss918
R3C0D im 16 and my dad got me into this xD
@samgub
i have it on cassette , cd and vinyl , whisper it, i'm 58 but love The Prodigy, saw them a few times first time in 92
@tailgeee
Im 21 now, discovered this album when i was 14; gheez it never gets old. purely timeless!
@Ratlovera_
R3C0D Nope, I'm 16 and my own love for old music and breakbeat broug me here.
@jackphilips9526
This surely has to be one of the greatest music recordings of all time.
@Happydays1875Manchester
Definitely mate my favourite prodigy tune it doesn't get any better than the early 90's prodigy & Njoi
@KirilVarbanov
One of the best Prodigy tunes. Essential, defining a whole new era. Awesome track. I want to wake up in the 90's again.
@Krokussify
who doesnt, m8 who doesnt