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
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Change my pitch up
Smack my bitch up
Change my pitch up
Smack my bitch up
(Like this)
Smack my bitch up
Change my pitch up
Smack my bitch up
(Like, like this)
(Like this)
(Like this)
Smack my bitch up
(Like this)
(Like this)
Smack my bitch up
(Like this)
(Like this)
Change my pitch up
Smack my bitch up
Change my pitch up
Smack my bitch up
(Like this)
The lyrics to The Prodigy's song "Smack My Bitch Up" have been a controversial topic of discussion since its release in 1997. Some have interpreted the lyrics as promoting violence against women, and as a result, it has been banned at some venues and even publicly denounced by feminist groups. However, a closer analysis of the lyrical content suggests a more nuanced interpretation.
The repeated phrase "Smack my bitch up" can be seen as a metaphor for indulging in a hedonistic lifestyle or giving in to one's impulses and desires. It can also be interpreted as a way of reclaiming and subverting a misogynistic phrase, turning it into something empowering. In fact, the song's music video, directed by Jonas Åkerlund, features a female protagonist who engages in wild and debaucherous behavior, challenging traditional gender roles and expectations.
The lyrics also reference changing one's pitch, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for changing one's mindset or mindset-altering substance use. The song's frenetic beats and distorted soundscape further support the idea of losing oneself in a state of exhilaration and abandon.
Overall, while the lyrics to "Smack My Bitch Up" have been controversial and divisive, they can be seen as a provocative and subversive commentary on societal norms and gender roles.
Line by Line Meaning
Change my pitch up
Alter my tone or demeanor
Smack my bitch up
Commit acts of violence and aggression towards a woman
Change my pitch up
Alter my tone or demeanor
Smack my bitch up
Commit acts of violence and aggression towards a woman
Change my pitch up
Alter my tone or demeanor
Smack my bitch up
Commit acts of violence and aggression towards a woman
Like this
In this manner
Like this
In this manner
Smack my bitch up
Commit acts of violence and aggression towards a woman
Like this
In this manner
Like this
In this manner
Smack my bitch up
Commit acts of violence and aggression towards a woman
Like this
In this manner
Like this
In this manner
Change my pitch up
Alter my tone or demeanor
Smack my bitch up
Commit acts of violence and aggression towards a woman
Change my pitch up
Alter my tone or demeanor
Smack my bitch up
Commit acts of violence and aggression towards a woman
Like this
In this manner
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Liam Howlett, Cedric Ulmont Miller, Tim Randolph, Mike Smith, Keith Mathew Thornton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@erinholz
My parents were huge fans of prodigy and didn’t feel like skipping this song so they told me the lyrics were “snap my picture” and I fucking believed them until I recently revisited this album
@kw271
And you will explain Lady GaGa videos to yours.
The cycle is complete.
@k.ohalloran8758
LOVE this so much, thanks!!
@trentbateman
Your parents are geniuses
@mEDIUMGap
And how to explain to a kid that a bitch is not an actual bitch
@mrbriceno3949
Hahahahahah i know what your daddy wanted to do
@zodiac909
No matter how much time passes, Prodigy remains timeless.
@Zoonjse
Almost 20 years, and im like wtf ? itcame out yesterday. This song is new, and forever reverent.
@scotty193
Motorhead remains timeless u Fart Knocker this is just exercise and a bit of a laugh.
@notyours5780
Thats the definition of timeless lol