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.
Spitfire
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I was in world war two they'd call me spitfire
If I was in world war two they'd call me spitfire
If I was in world war two they'd call me spit.
Fire
Fire
Fire
Cause you know that I can
Cause you know that I can
If I was in world war two they'd call me spitfire
If I was in world war two they'd call me spitfire
If I was in world war two they'd call me spit. fire
If I was in world war two they'd call me spitfire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Cause you know that I can
Fire
Cause you know that I can
If I was in world war two they'd call me spitfire
If I was in world war two they'd call me spitfire
If I was in world war two they'd call me spit. fire
If I was in world war two they'd call me spitfire
Fire
Cause you know that I can
Fire
Fire
The lyrics of The Prodigy's "Spitfire" seem to be a powerful declaration of strength and determination. The repetition of the phrase "If I was in world war two they'd call me spitfire" creates a sense of pride and confidence, as if the singer is asserting their own abilities and potential. The reference to the Supermarine Spitfire, a British fighter plane that played a key role in the Battle of Britain during World War II, adds a layer of historical context to the lyrics.
The repeated use of the word "fire" reinforces the idea of strength and power, and serves as a kind of mantra throughout the song. Overall, the lyrics suggest that the singer is someone who has the potential to be a force to be reckoned with, and is not to be underestimated.
Line by Line Meaning
If I was in world war two they'd call me spitfire
If I were fighting in World War II, I would be known as the legendary British fighter plane Spitfire due to my immense fighting skills and bravery.
Fire
I possess an unfaltering and intense passion and energy.
Cause you know that I can
I have complete confidence in my abilities and know that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LIAM HOWLETT, JULIET LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Richard Kramer
I love how he screams at the beginning: "'Everybody at Pinkpooooooooooooooooooooop''
Victor Aguilar
Drums are killer!
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Their Law - The Singles (1990-2005) (CD2)
Neformal Угараев
BomB
Kjara
Welcher Drummer ist das?