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.
The Way It
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics of The Prodigy's song The Way It Is are deceptively simple. The repetition of the phrase "That's just the way it is" seems initially like a throwaway line, but on closer examination, it becomes clear that the song is about much deeper issues. The song is a commentary on the arbitrary nature of power structures in society, and how difficult it is to effect change. The repeated lyric "That's just the way it is" is a fatalistic acknowledgement that the status quo may be unfair or oppressive, but it is accepted as the norm nonetheless.
The message of the song is one of frustration and resignation. The lyrics suggest that despite efforts to change the status quo, nothing seems to work. The line "We come to demonstrate but the haters orchestrating" highlights the idea that those in power are actively working against any attempts at change, making it difficult if not impossible to make any real progress. The repetition of the phrase "That's just the way it is" reinforces the idea that sometimes things are just unfair and there's nothing that can be done about it.
Line by Line Meaning
That's just the way it is
Some things in life cannot be changed and must be accepted as they are.
Things will never be the same
Inevitable and irreversible changes have occurred and cannot be undone.
That's just the way it is
Reaffirming the notion that certain situations are unchangeable.
Oh yeah
Expression of agreement and acceptance with the previous statement.
I see no changes all I see is racist faces
The world has not progressed as much as it should have, and there are still evident displays of racial discrimination.
Misplaced hate makes disgrace to races we under
Hatred and prejudice are detrimental to society and only bring shame to all involved.
And still I see no changes can't a brother get a little peace
Despite the problems and challenges faced by people of color, there seems to be no progress in achieving equality and peace.
There's war on the streets and war in the Middle East
Aside from social issues, there are political conflicts occurring both domestically and internationally.
Instead of war on poverty, they got a war on drugs
Instead of addressing and solving issues related to poverty, authorities have focused their efforts on combating drug use.
So much pain, make it hard to smile
The difficulties and hardships faced in life sometimes make it challenging to find joy and happiness.
Lord knows I tried to find a way to make it right
Despite the adversity, one has attempted to find solutions and create positive change.
But life will never change, I'm stuck in this game until I die
The struggles seem to be never-ending and will continue until the end of one's life.
That's just the way it is
Reiterating the acceptance of the current state of affairs.
Oh yeah
Expression of agreement and acceptance with the previous statement.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RODNEY LYNN TEMPERTON, LIAM PAUL PARIS HOWLETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
hadi pascaud
best use of thriller sample ever
KrisRaps
The Sample Is SICK AF
Soya Ergar
Awesome! Nice sampling.
lilkakashy
Soya Ergar It wasnt sampling... he payed to use the sample... If he had sampled it he would be the poorest person if the world
TrulyGone
they arent allowed to use the sample but were told they could recreate it
Daryl Yates Transport Blogs
@TrulyGone Your bang on Liam wrote his own version of it since he couldnt afford to the actual Thriller sample.
Sabur Zero
I hear fucking thriller in there !!! :D LOVE IT :)
Ryenan Pagulayan
Always outnumbered, Never outgunned.
UBZUKKI
Fuckin lovely
Ekaterina K
When you were listening to Michael Jackson and understood that you have already heard it somewhere...