The composition Firestarter by the British band The Prodigy made even those who had never before been interested in such music pay attention to the band. An aggressive beat, challenging lyrics, Flint’s unique vocals, a manic-depressive video clip – all this could either alienate listeners forever, or provide the track with wild popularity.
But we know that the history of the Firestarter song was more than successful, and The Prodigy got its first international hit.
The history of creation and the meaning of the song Firestarter – The Prodigy
Liam is said to have come up with the idea for Firestarter after listening to Weenie Beenie, one of the tracks on The Foo Fighters’ debut album. He composed the music and Keith Flint wrote the lyrics.
Here is what Liam Howlett said in an interview with Q magazine:
I started The Fat of the Land and have already recorded the first track – an instrumental – Firestarter. Then Keith appears and says: “If I ever write some lyrics, it will be on this tune.”
Q, 2008
In the same interview, Keith Flint explained the meaning of the Firestarter song:
I remember Liam on the phone with Richard Russell
. He asked: “Do you think these words describe Keith: Perverted? Hurt yourself?” – “Yes exactly”. The lyrics were about being on stage: that’s who I am. Some of it is a little deeper than it seems.
Q, 2008
Flint seems to be pleased with the lyrics to the Firestarter song. When a journalist from Q asked him which lyrics he likes the most from The Prodigy, he replied:
This is one of the most difficult questions I’ve ever been asked. I should have said one of mine. I didn’t write much at school, and then I wrote those nine lines of the Firestarter song in Liam’s room… I was fooling around. Caused a commotion. Got people! I think this naivety did me good.
“Q”, 2009
The guitar riff of Firestarter was taken from The Breeders’ SOS song, and the “hey” was taken from Close (The Edit) – The Art of Noise. That’s why the co-creators of Firestarter are not only Howlett and Flint, but also Kim Deal and members of The Art of Noise.
Firestarter Release and Achievements
Firestarter released the first single from The Fat of the Land in March 1996 and soon topped the UK Singles Chart as well as the charts in Norway and Finland. The song peaked at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Clip Firestarter – The Prodigy
There is no point in describing the black-and-white video clip Firestarter – The Prodigy, directed by Walter Stern. If you haven’t seen the video yet, it’s time to correct this omission.
Interesting Facts
- The Firestarter video was filmed in an abandoned tunnel at London’s Aldwych tube station.
- The members of The Prodigy got hit by the press for the lyrics of the song, which many considered offensive, and for the clip, which allegedly scared children very much.
- Firestarter was the first The Prodigy song that Flint sang.
- The song was played at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics, representing the music of the nineties.
Firestarter Lyrics
I’m the trouble starter, punkin’ instigator
I’m the fear addicted, danger illustrated
I’m a firestarter, twisted firestarter
You’re a firestarter, twisted firestarter
I’m a firestarter, twisted firestarter
I’m the bitch you hated, filth infatuated
Yeah! I’m the pain you tasted, fell intoxicated
I’m a firestarter, twisted firestarter
You’re the firestarter, twisted firestarter
I’m the self inflicted, mind detonator
Yeah! I’m the one infected, twisted animator
I’m a firestarter, twisted firestarter
You’re the firestarter, twisted firestarter
I’m a firestarter, twisted firestarter starter
Firestarter Lyrics
I’m a riot instigator, a crappy provocateur
I can not live without fear, I am the embodiment of danger
I’m an instigator, perverted instigator
You’re an instigator, perverted instigator
I’m an instigator, perverted instigator
I’m the bastard you hated, stupefied with abomination
Yes! I am the pain you felt when you were high
I’m an instigator, perverted instigator
You’re an instigator, perverted instigator
I hurt myself, blew my brain
Yes, I’m an infected, twisted animator
I’m an instigator, perverted instigator
You’re an instigator, perverted instigator
I’m an instigator, perverted instigator
