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.
Starts Thew Dance
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
The opening lines of The Prodigy's song "No Good (CJ Bolland's Museum Mix)" set the scene for a high-energy, intense beat that continually pulsates throughout the track. The lyrics themselves serve as an anthem for anyone looking to break free from a toxic relationship or negative influences in their life. The repeated refrain of "You're no good for me, I don't need nobody" emphasizes the importance of self-care and choosing to surround oneself with positive forces.
The music video for "No Good" features the band performing in a crowded and chaotic warehouse, further emphasizing the message of breaking free from negativity and letting go of inhibitions. The song itself was a massive hit, reaching #4 on the UK Singles Chart and propelling The Prodigy to even greater levels of commercial success.
Overall, "No Good (CJ Bolland's Museum Mix)" is a powerful and infectious techno track that serves as both a celebration of individuality and an encouragement to let go of toxic relationships and influences in order to find happiness and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
The artist is asking the audience if they can hear the bass drum in the song.
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
The artist is addressing someone who is no good for them and stating that they don't need anybody.
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
The artist emphasizes that they don't need anyone who is no good for them.
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
The artist again asks the audience if they can hear the bass drum in the song.
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
The artist reiterates that the person they are addressing is no good for them and they don't need anyone.
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
The artist once again emphasizes that they don't need anyone who is no good for them.
Come on, who can, who can, can hear the bass drum?
The artist continues to ask the audience if they can hear the bass drum in the song.
You're no good for me, I don't need nobody
The artist repeats their sentiment that the person they're addressing is no good for them and they don't need anyone.
Don't need no one, that's no good for me
The artist reiterates that they don't need anyone who is no good for them.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James Edward Bratton, Kelly M. Charles, Liam Howlett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind