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.
Timebomb Zone
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Can't stop)
(Can you hear it?)
(Can't stop)
Timebomb, the game goes on
Time is running out, yeah, it's almost gone
Timebomb, the game goes on
Time is running out
Time is running out, yeah, it's almost gone
Timebomb, the game goes on
Time is running out, yeah, it's almost gone
Timebomb, the game goes on
Time is running out, yeah, it's almost gone
(Can you hear it?)
(Can't stop)
Timebomb, the game goes on
Time is running out, yeah, it's almost gone
Timebomb, the game goes on
Time is running out, yeah, it's almost gone
Timebomb, the game goes on
Time is running out, yeah, it's almost gone
Timebomb, the game goes on
Time is running out, yeah, it's almost gone
Time is running out
Time is running out
Yeah, it's almost gone
Time is running out
Time is running out
Yeah, it's almost gone
The lyrics of "Timebomb Zone" by The Prodigy are very straightforward and embody the urgency and intensity of the music. The song's chorus repeats "Timebomb, the game goes on, time is running out, yeah, it's almost gone," creating a sense of urgency and danger, mirrored in the fast-paced, intense beat of the music. The "timebomb" metaphor can be interpreted as referring to a crisis, a threat, or a difficult situation that needs urgent attention before it's too late. The implied message is that time is precious and limited, and that one should act quickly and decisively to solve problems, face challenges, or seize opportunities.
The repetition of the chorus and the use of the phrase "Can you hear it? Can't stop" in the verses suggest a sense of inevitability and momentum, as if events are unfolding beyond one's control, and one can either choose to resist or to ride the wave. The overall mood of the song is one of adrenaline, excitement, and danger, akin to a high-speed chase or a tightrope walk. The lyrics, therefore, can be seen as a call to action, both to the listener and to society at large, to be aware of the ticking timebomb around them and to act before it explodes.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you hear it?
Are you aware of the danger lurking?
Can't stop
Unable to cease the impending explosion.
Timebomb, the game goes on
The countdown to the inevitable destruction continues.
Time is running out, yeah, it's almost gone
The few moments left before detonation are dwindling.
Time is running out
The clock is ticking, and the explosive force is intensifying.
Timebomb, the game goes on
The countdown to destruction persists, regardless of any attempts to stop it.
Timebomb, the game goes on
The risk and uncertainty of destruction still exist.
Yeah, it's almost gone
The time has almost come for the explosive force to unleash devastation.
Time is running out
The clock is still ticking, and time is almost up.
Time is running out
The limited time for safety is fading.
Yeah, it's almost gone
The time left before the explosion is mere seconds.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Christopher Maynard Barbose, Edward Chisolm, Liam Howlett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Максим Шачков
Одна из немногих российских групп за которую не стыдно! Слышал, что готовят приказ дать звание народных артистов России. Ждём выступления на голубом огоньке в новый год!
Dardevil No#1
ага еще пригласить баскова и киркорова в клипе сняться)
Sergei Kalinin
@Dardevil No#1 Лепса забыл!
Colbate
я бы посмотрел такой голубой огонек
Владимир
Это Prodigy что-ли российская группа ?
Prodigal Manifest
They are not russian.
Влад Ефремов
Божественно с кайфом вспоминаю их концерт в краснодаре
McCarren9
Совершенно бесподобный вокально-инструментальный ансамбль. Всегда поднимает мне настроение.
fosar rohmoud
You know its legit when it makes russians happy
Evan Gallagher
The Prodigy just simply don't have a bad song. Absolute bangers!