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.
Piranha
The Prodigy Lyrics
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Piranha
P-P-Piranha
Piranha
P-P-Piranha
Teeth, grip, razor sharp
Bites hi-power, tear you apart
Bites hi-power, tear you apart
Piranha
P-P-Piranha
Piranha
P-P-Piranha
[Chorus]
Teeth, grip, razor sharp
Bites hi-power, tear you apart
Teeth, grip, razor sharp
Bites hi-power, tear you apart
You better not, lose control
It pulls you under, it will take you whole
You better not, lose control
It pulls you under, it will take you whole
[Chorus: x2]
The Prodigy's song Piranha is a fast-paced, high-energy track that uses the metaphor of a piranha to describe the destructive power of addiction. The song's opening lines repeat the word "piranha" four times, creating a sense of urgency and danger. The following lines describe the teeth, grip, and razor-sharp bite of the piranha, emphasizing its voraciousness and lethality. This imagery is then applied to addiction, which is portrayed as having the same power to tear a person apart and consume them whole.
The chorus of the song repeats the same lines as the opening, with a focus on the destructive power of addiction rather than the physical attributes of the piranha. The final lines of the song warn the listener not to lose control, as addiction will pull them under and take them whole. The rapid-fire delivery of the lyrics, combined with the heavy beat and distorted synthesizers, creates a sense of urgency and intensity that reinforces the song's message.
Overall, Piranha is a powerful song that uses vivid imagery and a driving beat to convey the destructive power of addiction. Its metaphorical approach allows the listener to understand the dangers of addiction in a visceral way, while the high-energy music creates an emotional connection that enhances the message.
Line by Line Meaning
Piranha
The singer warns the listener of the predator that will be the theme of the song.
P-P-Piranha
A playful alliteration that stresses the danger and power of the Piranha and creates a catchy chorus.
Teeth, grip, razor sharp
The Piranha's physical traits that allow it to survive and thrive in its environment are described.
Bites hi-power, tear you apart
The Piranha is a deadly predator that uses its sharp teeth to attack and kill its prey.
You better not, lose control
The listener is warned to be careful and not to let their guard down in order to avoid becoming a victim of the Piranha.
It pulls you under, it will take you whole
The Piranha's attack is swift and deadly, pulling its prey under and devouring it completely.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Mute Song Limited, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AMANDA GHOST, LIAM HOWLETT, SAMEER ANJAAN, BILLY CHILDISH, KEITH PALMER, RAJESH ROSHAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind