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.
No Good
The Prodigy Lyrics
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Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
The lyrics to the song "No Good" by The Prodigy convey a message about the singer's desire for independence and self-reliance. The repeated line "You're no good for me, I don't need nobody, don't need no one that's no good for me" suggests that the singer is identifying someone or something that is holding them back and preventing them from achieving their goals. The phrase "who can hear the bass drum" acts as a call to action, urging listeners to pay attention to the message and join the singer in their pursuit of freedom.
The use of repetition throughout the song builds a sense of urgency and reinforces the idea that the singer is determined to break free from whatever is holding them back. The repeated line also serves to emphasize the importance of personal agency and the power of making one's own choices. The driving beat and energetic electronic instrumentation of the song add to its overall sense of urgency and make it a powerful anthem for anyone striving to break free from societal constraints.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
The song starts with a question challenging the listener to hear the bass drum that sets the rhythm of the song.
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
The singer states that the person they are addressing is no good for them and that they do not need anyone like them.
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
The singer repeats that they don't need anyone who is not good for them.
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
The same question from the beginning of the song is repeated, still challenging the listener to hear and feel the beat.
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
The singer repeats their point, emphasizing that they really don't want to be around people who are not good for them.
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
The same refrain is repeated, reinforcing the singer's message that they are better off without people who will bring them down
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
The challenge is repeated again, encouraging the listener to immerse themselves in the beat and the music.
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
The singer repeats their main message, driving it home even more clearly.
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
The singer repeats the final line, making it clear that they are done with anyone who is not a positive influence in their life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James Edward Bratton, Kelly M. Charles, Liam Howlett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Geneticlyinsane1
You could still play this in any club in the world and the place would erupt , a timeless work of pure musical genius
@carolinedoonan6342
💯🔥
@albertmeyer7279
They actualy do so😅
@andrewlafite6527
Thing is kids these dnt appreciate how gooooood this song really is you'd never see them off there face enjoying themselves dancing all nite
@jacksonb6444
@@andrewlafite6527 I think phones being everywhere and everything being broadcasted has to do with it. Hard to completely let go when youre always subject to being filmed
@Bawitdabadabangdadang
Very true. We are always being watched and filmed. Scary times!
@Alexander--1
Всё ещё хороши! 🔥
@ninac2499
My country is Serbia (part of ex Yugoslavia) and Prodigy was the first foreign band which played concert in my country after war ended. They came literally 3 weaks after ending of war in prime of their popularity. The concert was amazing and members behaved like we are "normal" country without fear or prejudices. I just can't describe how enormously my people are thankful to Prodigy for that greatness. After 4 years of suffering and horribleness, that concert was the most beautiful thing that happened to Serbian people. It was so huge that even we younger generations who even wasn't born at that time, know about it.
@stue2485
Ty-love-from-England.
@michaelStrikess22z
Dodji na sea star u hrv, dolazi prodigy