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.
Pandemonium
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just can't hold back...
...
Drop the base... Drop the base...
Drop the base... Drop the base now.
I just can't hold back...
...
The lyrics in The Prodigy's song "Pandemonium" are quite simple and repetitive, but they carry a lot of energy and a sense of urgency. The repeated phrase "I just can't hold back" can be interpreted in a few different ways. It could be a statement of the singer's excitement and eagerness to let loose and get wild on the dancefloor. It could also be a statement of the overwhelming power of the music and the need to surrender to it completely. The repeated phrase takes on a mantra-like quality, reinforcing the idea that something big and intense is about to happen.
The line "Drop the base" is a common command in electronic dance music, signifying a moment when the beat drops and the bass becomes the dominant element of the music. This is often a moment of peak intensity in a track, and "Pandemonium" delivers on that promise with its own explosive drop. The repetition of the command to "Drop the base now" creates a sense of anticipation, as if the arrival of this moment is inevitable and unstoppable.
Line by Line Meaning
I just can't hold back...
The singer is unable to control their excitement or enthusiasm towards the upcoming event, likely a musical performance.
...Drop the base... Drop the base...
The singer is eagerly anticipating the moment when the bass drops in the music.
...Drop the base... Drop the base now.
The singer is urging the music to drop the bass immediately.
I just can't hold back...
The artist's excitement and anticipation continue to build.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JAMES SAMUEL III HARRIS, JAMES HARRIS III, JESSE WOODS JOHNSON, TERRY LEWIS, PRINCE NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Sz0kek0la
Still kickass, and ageless. I remember, when Prodigy shocking everybody. I was 17 at '91, good old days. :) Thanks from Hungary.
@user-xf3yi4zv5m
Чно в россий тоже был шок
@ThePinsay
Everywhere keiths antics were an unforgiving I dont give a fuck vibe!!! 🏴
@cascadeSC
Wow, totally forgot about this song! My neighbor did too but I reminded him of it's greatness
@michaelplanner6556
I'm sure your neighbour loved it
@Robin-jz2dj
I just heard it for the first time today. This deserves way more recognition 😤
RIP Keith
@ThePinsay
Guy was a natural born entertainer too! Owned a stage!!!!!
@gunman156
мне было 14 лет когда начал слушать, сейчас 30 я круче ничего больше не знаю!
@user-jm5xh3gd9p
Я тоже.Респект:-)
@MrAvengerDit
+gunman ``` О да!!!