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.
Your Love Remix
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Give me a number one, give me a number two, whoa!
Give me a number one, give me a number two, whoa!
Give me a number one, give me a number two, whoa
Your love
Give me a number one, give me a number two, whoa!
Your love
Your love
Your love
Your love
Give me a number one, give me a number two, whoa!
Wo-ho, wo-ho, wo-ho-ohoo
Wo-ho, wo-ho, wo-ho-ohoo
Wo-ho, wo-ho, wo-ho-ohoo
At first glance, these lyrics might seem simple and repetitive, but as with many electronic dance music tracks, the vocals serve as more of a rhythmic and hypnotic element rather than a traditional lyrical narrative. The repeated directive “give me a number one, give me a number two” could be interpreted as the singer requesting some kind of action or participation from the listener – perhaps asking them to choose between two options, or to follow along with the beat.
The repeated phrase “Your love” is the primary lyrical focus of the track, and could be seen as a declaration of devotion or desire. There are no other words to contextualize this sentiment, so the lyrics might be interpreted as pure, unadulterated emotion. The way the words are repeated over and over creates a sense of urgency and intensity, emphasizing the visceral impact of love. Meanwhile, the “wo-ho” ad libs add to this overall emotional energy, encouraging listeners to surrender to the music.
Overall, the lyrics of “Your Love” are less about a traditional story or message, and more about creating a hypnotic, danceable atmosphere that emphasizes the intensity and power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Give me a number one, give me a number two, whoa!
The singer is requesting some sort of order or structure. They do not specify what they need, but they seem to be asking for two distinct things.
Give me a number one, give me a number two, whoa!
The singer is repeating their request for structure or order, possibly indicating that they are feeling anxious or uncertain.
Give me a number one, give me a number two, whoa!
The singer is still asking for some sort of order or structure, possibly indicating that they are feeling overwhelmed or confused.
Give me a number one, give me a number two, whoa
The artist is once again asking for order or structure, likely indicating that they are feeling frustrated or impatient.
Your love
The artist is now shifting to a different topic, expressing a desire or need for love.
Give me a number one, give me a number two, whoa!
The singer is using the same phrase as before to make a transition, but now they are requesting something related to love rather than structure or order.
Your love
The singer repeats their request for love, indicating its importance to them.
Give me a number one, give me a number two, whoa!
The artist is once again transitioning, likely back to their original request for structure or order.
Wo-ho, wo-ho, wo-ho-ohoo
This line does not have a clear meaning in isolation. It may serve as a transitional phrase or a catchy phrase to emphasize the previous request.
Wo-ho, wo-ho, wo-ho-ohoo
This line still does not have a clear meaning, and may just serve as a way to keep the rhythm of the song going.
Wo-ho, wo-ho, wo-ho-ohoo
This final repetition of the phrase may again be a transitional phrase, preparing the listener for another shift in topic or tone.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LIAM HOWLETT, GARY TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind