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.
Smack My Bitch Up (Dj Hype Rem
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Wow)
(Wow)
(Wow)
Change my pitch up, smack my bitch up (wow)
Change my pitch up, smack my bitch up (wow)
Change my pitch up, smack my bitch up (wow)
Change my pitch up, smack my bitch up (wow)
Smack my bitch up (wow)
(Wow)
(Wow)
(Wow)
(Wow wow)
(Wow)
(Wow)
(Wow)
Ahhh ahh ahh
Ahhh ahh ahh
Smack my bitch up (wow)
(Wow)
(Wow)
(Wow)
(Wow wow)
(Wow)
(Wow)
(Wow)
(Wow wow)
(Wow)
(Wow)
(Wow)
(Wow)
(Wow) Change my pitch up, smack my bitch up (wow)
(Wow) Change my pitch up, smack my bitch up (wow)
The lyrics to The Prodigy's song "Smack My Bitch Up" are controversial and have been the subject of much discussion and debate, with some critics arguing that they promote violence against women. However, the lyrics can also be interpreted in a different way, as a commentary on the excesses of party culture and the destructive behavior that can sometimes arise from it.
The repeated refrain "Change my pitch up, smack my bitch up" can be seen as a metaphor for the desire to escape the limitations of everyday life, to crank up the volume and intensity of one's experiences, and to indulge in wild and reckless behavior. The use of the word "bitch" is meant to be provocative and confrontational, challenging listeners to question their assumptions and attitudes towards gender and power.
At the same time, the song's driving beat and aggressive energy reflect the frenzied, chaotic atmosphere of late-night parties and raves, where inhibition is often cast aside in favor of hedonistic pleasure-seeking. The lyrics can thus be seen as a critique of the darker side of party culture, where excess and violence can often go hand in hand.
Overall, while the lyrics to "Smack My Bitch Up" are undeniably provocative and controversial, they can also be seen as a commentary on the excesses and dangers of party culture, and a challenge to listeners to examine their own attitudes and behaviors.
Line by Line Meaning
(Wow)
Expression of excitement
(Wow)
Expression of excitement
(Wow)
Expression of excitement
(Wow)
Expression of excitement
Change my pitch up, smack my bitch up (wow)
Modify my voice and violently assault my woman
Change my pitch up, smack my bitch up (wow)
Modify my voice and violently assault my woman
Change my pitch up, smack my bitch up (wow)
Modify my voice and violently assault my woman
Change my pitch up, smack my bitch up (wow)
Modify my voice and violently assault my woman
Smack my bitch up (wow)
Violent assault on a woman
(Wow)
Expression of excitement
(Wow)
Expression of excitement
(Wow)
Expression of excitement
(Wow wow)
Expression of excitement
(Wow)
Expression of excitement
(Wow)
Expression of excitement
(Wow)
Expression of excitement
Ahhh ahh ahh
Moaning sound
Ahhh ahh ahh
Moaning sound
Smack my bitch up (wow)
Violent assault on a woman
(Wow)
Expression of excitement
(Wow)
Expression of excitement
(Wow)
Expression of excitement
(Wow wow)
Expression of excitement
(Wow)
Expression of excitement
(Wow)
Expression of excitement
(Wow)
Expression of excitement
(Wow wow)
Expression of excitement
(Wow)
Expression of excitement
(Wow)
Expression of excitement
(Wow)
Expression of excitement
(Wow) Change my pitch up, smack my bitch up (wow)
Modify my voice and violently assault my woman
(Wow) Change my pitch up, smack my bitch up (wow)
Modify my voice and violently assault my woman
Contributed by London J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.