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.
Poison
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, fuck's sake, trying to write this fucking tune, man.
Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah! Yeah! Boom! Yeah! Yeah! Bah!
I got the poison. I got the poison.
Boom! Bah!
Boom! Bah!
Boom! Bah!
Yeah!
I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pulsating, rhythmical remedy.
I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pulsating, rhythmical remedy.
I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pulsating, rhythmical remedy.
I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pressure the pressure.
Yeah! Boom! Bah!
Boom! Bah!
Boom! Bah!
Boom! Bah!
The pressure, I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pulsating,
rhythmical remedy.
I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pulsating, rhythmical remedy.
I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pulsating, rhythmical remedy.
I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pulsating, rhythmical remedy.
Yeah!
I got the poison, I got the poison
Boom! Bah!
Boom! Bah!
Boom! Bah!
I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pulsating, rhythmical remedy.
I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pulsating, rhythmical remedy.
I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pulsating, rhythmical remedy.
I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pulsating, rhythmical remedy.
I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pulsating, rhythmical remedy.
I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pulsating, rhythmical remedy.
I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pulsating, rhythmical remedy.
I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the poison, I got the poison, I got
the poison.
Boom! Bah!
Yeah!
Boom! Bah!
Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah!
The Prodigy's "Poison" is a high-energy track that doesn't rely on its lyrics to captivate the listener. The song is primarily instrumental, and the sparse lyrics serve more as a rhythmic device than a means of conveying any particular message. The opening dialogue between the band members Liam and the anonymous caller punctuates the sense of urgency and distraction that seems to underscore the song’s frenetic beats. The song can be seen as an ode to the power of music itself, with the lyrics proclaiming "I got the remedy, I got the pulsating, rhythmical remedy." The repeated chant of "boom bah" serves as a kind of incantation, building a sense of hypnosis and momentum that drives the track forward.
One interpretation of "Poison" is that it's about the power of music to transport and transform the listener. The track's insistent rhythms and relentless energy can be seen as a form of catharsis or release, with the lyrics expressing the idea that music can act as a kind of poison that can cure what ails us. The song is a powerful example of the kind of driving, propulsive electronica that the Prodigy made famous in the 1990s – a sound that was both futuristic and undeniably rooted in the rebellious spirit of punk rock.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello, yea, hold a sec. Liam there's someone on the phone for you.
Interrupted while working on music, Liam takes a phone call.
Oh, fuck's sake, trying to write this fucking tune, man.
Frustrated with the interruption, Liam curses while trying to focus.
Yeah! Yeah! Boom! Yeah! Yeah! Bah!
Musical interjection with no particular meaning.
I got the poison. I got the poison.
Liam is in possession of something dangerous or toxic.
Boom! Bah!
Another musical interjection for effect.
I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pulsating, rhythmical remedy.
Despite having the poison, Liam also has the solution, which comes in the form of an energetic musical remedy.
I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pressure the pressure.
Liam's solution to the poison also involves pressure, possibly implying aggression or determination to overcome the situation.
The pressure, I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pulsating,
Continuation of the earlier lines, emphasising the presence of the pressure and Liam's corresponding solution.
rhythmical remedy. I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pulsating, rhythmical remedy.
Repeated chorus, detailing Liam's possession of the poison as well as the energetic, rhythmical remedy.
I got the poison, I got the poison
Reiteration of Liam's possession of the toxic substance, building on the chorus.
I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pulsating, rhythmical remedy.
Another repetition of the chorus, emphasising the presence of both the poison and the corresponding remedy in Liam's possession.
Yeah!
Another interjection for effect.
I got the poison I got the remedy, I got the pulsating, rhythmical remedy.
Final repetition of the chorus, highlighting Liam's control over the toxic situation and the corresponding musical remedy.
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Musical interjection to close out the song.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, THIRD SIDE MUSIC INC.
Written by: H. PALMER, L. HOWLETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patansy3455
Been listening to Prodigy since 1994. When I was 12. Still listening at 41.
@davinsmith6929
16 still listening till 51 son
@davidorganism6064
I was 14, now I’m 39, still raving. Best thing in my life.
@stevelumby8260
Me too and im 61
@SkipToMyLou_
12 , 37 ;)
@bangablebang
11, 36 :)
@tommisinivaara5167
Also 39 here, was dancing to this yesterday at the grocers. There might not be many raves because of this corona thing, but I'm dancing more than ever. And many ppl seem to be uplifted, at least they get their mind off viruses for a while. Dancing to Prodigy is a rhythmical remedy to fear.
@goone9722
I was 3 😂 but yes banging track
@dutch__mermaid602
Even in 100 years this will still sound just as fresh.
@dusandragovic09srb
What a nick you have :D ahaha <3