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.
Phoenix
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would you believe me when I tell you
You are the king of my dreams?
The lyrics in The Prodigy's song Phoenix seem to be a love song, but it can be interpreted in a multitude of ways depending on the context. The first line, "Can you feel my love buzz?" suggests a feeling of intensity and excitement towards the person being addressed. This could be used to convey a person's infatuation with another or the passionate attitude towards their own creative passion. The following line, "Would you believe me when I tell you you are the king of my dreams?" adds to the feeling of intensity and longing, with an expression of devotion and admiration. This line could be interpreted to be a declaration of love, which sheds a new light on the first line since it could mean that the singer is asking if the other person feels the same way romantically.
Other interpretations of the lyrics are also possible since the song has an electronic/punk vibe which can inspire a sense of rebellion and energy. The lyrics could be seen as a message to the music scene, indicating the love buzz and sense of commitment that an artist has towards their music. This interpretation gains more weight when analyzing the meaning behind the titular "Phoenix", which could represent rebirth, renewal and transformation in the Music Industry.
* Phoenix is a song from the album "Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned" released in 2004, by the British electronic group The Prodigy
* It is said that the song was initially intended to be a collaboration with Oasis, but the idea fell through.
* The song has been remixed several times and used in multiple forms of media such as the video game "Wipeout Pure" and in the 2006 movie "Crank" starring Jason Statham.
* The chorus samples a portion of the drumbeat from the early 1990s hip hop song "Change the Beat" by Fab Five Freddy and Beside.
* The song is characterized by its synthesizer-heavy sound and aggressive rhythms.
* The single cover features a phoenix drawn in the style of traditional Japanese tattoos.
* The song's fast-pace and drum beat are reminiscent of The Prodigy's past entries such as "Their Law" and "Breathe"
* Although known for their hyper-aggressive style, Phoenix was generally better received and considered a "fresh" take on the Prodigy's music.
* There is debate among fans on whether "Phoenix" refers to the mythical bird or Phoenix Way, a roundabout in North London where the band grew up.
* Chords for Phoenix are not officially released by the band, however, there are online tabs available that offer a close approximation to the sound of the song through a guitar. The chords are C5, A#/Bb5, F#5, and G5 in power chord form.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you feel my love buzz?
Can you sense the intensity of my affection towards you?
Would you believe me when I tell you
Do you trust that my words are genuine and truthful?
You are the king of my dreams?
In my fantasies, you hold the highest authority and power.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LIAM PAUL PARIS HOWLETT, ROBERT H G VAN LEEUWEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sébastien HIMMELSPACH
0:36 - Voodoo People
5:50 - Breathe
11:59 - Poison
16:30 - Funky Shit
21:50 - Weather Experience
23:16 - Their Law
28:55 - Diesel Power
31:17 - Skylined
36:40 - Firestarter
41:25 - Mindfields
48:04 - No Good (Start The Dance)
54:12 - Gabba
Chris
I was in the crowd. 17 years old with 2 of my mates from school. The best live band I’ve ever seen. I still have the photos from the whole event. The Prodigy knew how to get the crowd jumping. The last time I felt it like this was here in ‘94 when the Wonderstuff blasted out Mission Drive.
RIP Keith
qwer12324567
"My mission drive, is to open up my mind, to the wicked lies and all the shite you say"
Thanks for bringing some happy memories!!
Muhammad Ali
This is amazing Chris!
Anne Ross
I was lucky enough to have a pass to let me watch this from the side of the stage..my friend Matt worked for their merchandise company..i still have my wristband, laminate and lanyard from this gig
Dexter Cousins
My mate took a whitey when Cyprus Hill played. How hot was that weekend!
Chris
@Dexter Cousins I went home all sunburned & exhausted. When I got home my parents were in bed so I slept in my sleeping bag in the garden. The best!!!!
Win Cup
90's was the best golden era of music scene in human history.
Alternative Visuals
I ran a record ship through most of it and yes one of the last try evolutionary decades.
Peter J. Fallon
@Alternative VisualsCool description my friend 👊
Martin Budd
I'm so glad this video exists. I was there at 19 years old with my mates. By far the greatest thing I've ever experienced on stage. You've only got to see the crowd all jumping in unison - gives me goosebumps still watching it 20+ years later