Firestarter (The Prodigy song) explained

Firestarter
Cover:Firestarter Prodigy.jpg
Alt:song
Type:single
Artist:the Prodigy
Album:The Fat of the Land
B-Side:Molotov Bitch
Recorded:Essex, United Kingdom
Genre:
Length:
  • 4:42 (album version)
  • 3:45 (edit)
Label:XL
Producer:Liam Howlett
Prev Title:Poison
Prev Year:1995
Next Title:Breathe
Next Year:1996

"Firestarter" is a song by British electronic dance music band the Prodigy, released on 18 March 1996 by XL Recordings as the first single from their third album, The Fat of the Land (1997). It was co-written and produced by Liam Howlett and features vocals by Keith Flint. It also was the group's first number-one single on the UK Singles Chart, staying on top for three weeks, and their first big international hit, topping the charts in the Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, and Norway. The music video was directed by Walter Stern and filmed in the London Underground, in black-and-white. Melody Maker ranked the song number two in their list of "Singles of the Year" in 1996.[3] 24 years later, The Guardian ranked it number eight in their list of "The 100 Greatest UK No 1 Singles".[4]

Composition

The songwriting credits include Kim Deal of alternative rock group the Breeders, as the looped wah-wah guitar riff in "Firestarter" was sampled from the Breeders' track "S.O.S." from the album Last Splash. The drums are sampled from a remix of the song "Devotion" of the group Ten City. The "hey" sample is from the 1984 song "Close (to the Edit)" by Art of Noise. Then-members Anne Dudley, Trevor Horn, J. J. Jeczalik, Gary Langan and Paul Morley also receive songwriting credits. The "Empirion Mix", which does not include these samples, is credited solely to Liam Howlett and Keith Flint.

Critical reception

Martin James from Melody Maker wrote, "'Firestarter' finds onstage dancer, MC and man of scary eye make-up Keith Flint delivering his first vocal performance and...it's not really up to much. A 60-Marlboros-a-day growl more suited to guitar-drenched cider punk than The Prodigy's fast and furious cyber punk. Never mind though, because musically this cut finds the boys slamming through an exhilarating, breakbeat techno theme for snowboarding freestylers. Half-pipe hardcore — you know the score."[5] A reviewer from Music Week gave "Firestarter" top score of five out of five, and named it Single of the Week and a "Powerful return for the kings of live techno."[6] Gerald Martinez from New Sunday Times noted its "heavy metal meets techno-dance stylisations".[7] Brad Beatnik from the Record Mirror Dance Update described it as "a typically searing chunk of heavy techno featuring some manic vocale and an awesome synth line". He concluded, "Straight in the Top 10, no question, and destined to be pounded in the clubs."[8] Writing for Pitchfork in 2005, Jess Harvell said, "'Firestarter' sounds like Trent Reznor in one of his all-too-rare moments of self-aware humor, like the Bomb Squad at +5 with a pink-haired British bulldog bellowing about how tuff he is."[9] David Sinclair from The Times noted, "A racing, twitchy, all-hands-on-deck rhythmic pulse, with a first beat in the bar that lands like a bodyblow, it is spiced up by a siren-wail synth sound and various shrieks that resemble an Art of Noise vocal sample."[10]

Music video

The accompanying black-and-white music video for "Firestarter" was directed by English director Walter Stern and was filmed in an abandoned London Underground tunnel at Aldwych.[11]

Impact and legacy

In December 1996, Melody Maker ranked "Firestarter" number two in their list of "Singles of the Year", writing, "Bringing vague but keenly felt terror to a million living rooms, "Firestarter" was superbly ominous, a funny, freakish and pulse-quickening rumble through the tunnels of the psychotic mind."[3] In October 2011, NME placed it at number 52 in its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".[12] Following Flint's death on 4 March 2019, fans used the hashtag 'Firestarter4Number1' on various social media platforms to replicate the song's success by getting it to the number one spot again. This was done out of respect for Keith Flint and to raise awareness of suicide among men.[13] During this time the single also returned to the Billboard charts, entering number 13 on its Dance/Electronic Digital Songs Sales chart in its 16 March 2019 issue, marking the first time that this song has appeared on a Billboard dance chart.[14] In June 2020, The Guardian ranked "Firestarter" number eight in their list of "The 100 Greatest UK No 1 Singles".[15] In July 2022, Rolling Stone ranked it number 110 in their list of "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time".[16]

Track listings

  1. "Firestarter" (edit) – 3:45
  2. "Firestarter" (Empirion mix) – 7:49
  3. "Firestarter" (instrumental) – 4:39
  4. "Molotov Bitch" – 4:51

A1. "Firestarter" – 4:40

A2. "Firestarter" (instrumental) – 4:39

B1. "Firestarter" (Empirion mix) – 7:49

B2. "Molotov Bitch" – 4:51

  1. "Firestarter" (edit) – 3:45
  2. "Molotov Bitch" – 4:51
  1. "Firestarter" (edit) – 3:45
  2. "Firestarter" (Empirion mix) – 7:49
  1. "Firestarter" (edit)
  2. "Firestarter" (instrumental)

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1996–1997)Peak
position
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[27] 3
Czech Republic (IFPI CR)[28] 1
Denmark (IFPI)[29] 7
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[30] 2
Hungary (Mahasz)[31] 1
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[32] 8
Italy (Musica e dischi)[33] 18

Year-end charts

Chart (1996)Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[35] 56
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[36] 58
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[37] 27
Germany (Official German Charts)[38] 39
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[39] 69
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[40] 48
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[41] 61
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[42] 13
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[43] 39
UK Singles (OCC)[44] 15
Chart (1997)Position
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[45] 9
US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)[46] 46

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)
United Kingdom18 March 1996XL[47]
Japan22 May 1996CDAvex Trax[48]

Cover versions

"Weird Al" Yankovic created a loose parody of "Firestarter", titled "Lousy Haircut", for an episode of The Weird Al Show; he could not do a full parody of the song as the network CBS did not want to pay royalties to the Prodigy.[49] The song has also been covered by Jimmy Eat World, Gene Simmons of KISS, Torre Florim of De Staat, Sepultura, Papa Roach, and Kristina Esfandiari under her project NGHTCRWLR.[50] [51] A cover has also been created for the video game Just Cause 3 by Torre Florim.[52]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Q&A: The Prodigy Look Back on the Most Aggressive Career in Electronic History. Spin . 27 April 2015. 13 March 2019. 21 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190821022938/https://www.spin.com/2015/04/the-prodigy-interview-new-album/. live. Weiss . Dan .
  2. Web site: The Prodigy Fat Of The Land Review . bbc.co.uk . BBC . Pattison . Louis . 2008 . 9 October 2017 . 12 October 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171012195708/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/fzvr/ . live .
  3. Singles Of The Year. Melody Maker. 21 December 1996. 68. 5 June 2024.
  4. Web site: The 100 Greatest UK No 1s: 100–1. Beaumont-Thomas. Ben. Petridis. Alexis. Alexis Petridis. Snapes. Laura. The Guardian. 5 June 2020. 2 December 2022.
  5. Martin. James. Singles. Melody Maker. 9 March 1996. 34. 9 May 2024.
  6. Reviews. Music Week. 9 March 1996. 12. 12 August 2021.
  7. Gerald. Martinez. Dance fever for one and all. New Sunday Times. 8 November 1998. 13. 21 October 2021.
  8. Hot Vinyl — Tune of the Week. Brad. Beatnik. Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). 9 March 1996. 9. 12 August 2021.
  9. Web site: The Prodigy: Their Law: The Singles Album Review - Pitchfork. pitchfork.com. 1 July 2015. 1 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150701165034/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/6487-their-law-the-singles/. live.
  10. Sinclair, David (23 March 1996). "Pop Single; Weekend". The Times.
  11. Web site: Video - Firestarter | Video. Musicpilgrimages.com. 27 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20160421024431/http://www.musicpilgrimages.com/video/index.php?alias=video__firestarter.html. 21 April 2016.
  12. Web site: 150 Best Tracks Of The Past 15 Years . . 26 March 2014 . 31 March 2014 . 11 October 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161011131709/http://www.nme.com/list/150-best-tracks-of-the-past-15-years/248648/page/10 . live.
  13. Web site: Prodigy fans launch 'Firestarter for Number 1' campaign in memory of Keith Flint . Scott . Colothan . 6 March 2019 . 4 April 2019 . . 4 April 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190404172739/https://planetradio.co.uk/kerrang/entertainment/music/the-prodigy-for-number-one/ . live .
  14. https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8502422/the-prodigy-return-billboard-charts-keith-flint-death "The Prodigy Return to Billboard's Charts After Keith Flint's Death"
  15. Web site: The 100 Greatest UK No 1s: 100–1. Beaumont-Thomas. Ben. Petridis. Alexis. Alexis Petridis. Snapes. Laura. The Guardian. 5 June 2020. 15 February 2022.
  16. Jon. Dolan. Julyssa. Lopez. Michaelangelo. Matos. Claire. Shaffer. 200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time. Rolling Stone. 22 July 2022. 30 October 2022.
  17. Firestarter. The Prodigy. 1996. UK CD single liner notes. XL Recordings. XLS 70 CD.
  18. Firestarter. The Prodigy. 1996. Australian CD single liner notes. XL Recordings, Dance Pool, Columbia Records. 663078 2.
  19. Firestarter. The Prodigy. 1996. Japanese CD single liner notes. Avex Trax. AVCD-30033.
  20. Firestarter. The Prodigy. 1997. US maxi-CD single liner notes. Maverick Records, Mute Records. 9 43843-2.
  21. Firestarter. The Prodigy. 1996. UK 12-inch single sleeve. XL Recordings. XLS 70 CD.
  22. Firestarter. The Prodigy. 1996. US 12-inch single sleeve. Maverick Records, Mute Records. 8001-0.
  23. Firestarter. The Prodigy. 1996. UK cassette single sleeve. XL Recordings. XLC 70.
  24. Firestarter. The Prodigy. 1996. European CD single liner notes. XL Recordings. XLSCDX 70.
  25. Firestarter. The Prodigy. 1996. US CD single liner notes. Maverick Records, Mute Records. 9 17387-2.
  26. Firestarter. The Prodigy. 1996. US cassette single sleeve. Maverick Records, Mute Records. 9 17387-4.
  27. The Prodigy Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs). Billboard. 2 March 2019. 12 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191012115343/https://www.billboard.com/music/The-Prodigy/chart-history/CNS. live.
  28. Top National Sellers. Music & Media. 13. 20. 18 May 1996. 26. 24 June 2018. 23 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200823202241/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-05-18.pdf. live.
  29. Top National Sellers. Music & Media. 13. 14. 6 April 1996. 22. 13 April 2020. 13 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200613194534/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-04-06.pdf. live.
  30. Hits of the World. Billboard. 18. 48. 108. Prometheus Global Media. 4 May 1996. 0006-2510.
  31. Top National Sellers. Music & Media. 13. 15. 13 April 1996. 25. 24 June 2018. 24 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200824175942/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-04-13.pdf. live.
  32. News: Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (27.4. – 3.5. '96). Dagblaðið Vísir. is. 26. 27 April 1996. 2 October 2019. 4 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200604140437/https://timarit.is/page/2939799#page/n25/mode/2up. live.
  33. Hits of the World – Italy. Billboard. 109. 21. 50. 24 May 1997. 4 June 2020. 4 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200604134935/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1997/Billboard-1997-05-24.pdf. live.
  34. 2019 Archive: Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales (March 16, 2019). Billboard. 13 March 2019.
  35. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1996. Ultratop. nl. 2 March 2019. 10 April 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080410215327/https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1996. live.
  36. Web site: Rapports annuels 1996. Ultratop. fr. 2 March 2019. 17 April 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080417014744/https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=1996. live.
  37. 1996 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 13. 51/52. 21 December 1996. 12. 18 December 2019. 5 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200605213307/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-12-21.pdf. live.
  38. Web site: Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1996. GfK Entertainment. de. 7 August 2015. 9 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150509002426/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1996. live.
  39. News: Árslistinn 1996. Dagblaðið Vísir. is. 16. 2 January 1997. 30 May 2020. 4 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200704000820/https://timarit.is/page/2949469#page/n15/mode/2up. live.
  40. Web site: Top 40 – Jaargang 32, 1996. Dutch Top 40. Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. 28 July 2012. nl. 1 January 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040101151048/http://www.top40web.nl/jaarlijsten/jr1996.html. live.
  41. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 1996. MegaCharts. nl. 2 March 2019. 18 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191018035305/https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1996&cat=s. live.
  42. Web site: Årslista Singlar, 1996. Sverigetopplistan. sv. 30 May 2020. 26 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200826130544/https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/43?dspy=1996&dspp=1. live.
  43. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1996. de. 2 March 2019. 24 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150224101124/http://www.swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/1996. live.
  44. Top 100 Singles 1996. Music Week. 25. 18 January 1997.
  45. Web site: End of Year Charts 1997. Recorded Music NZ. 30 May 2020. 22 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190622173134/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/index_chart?chart=3886. live.
  46. The Year in Music 1997: Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales. Billboard. 52. 109. YE-45. 27 December 1997.
  47. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 35. 16 March 1996. 30 June 2021.
  48. Web site: ファイアスターター プロディジー. Firestarter Prodigy. Oricon. ja. 30 December 2023.
  49. 'The Weird Al Show': The Complete Oral History . Caseen . Gaines . 23 September 2017 . 15 November 2017 . . 16 November 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171116040733/http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/features/the-weird-al-show-the-complete-oral-history-w501326 . live .
  50. Web site: Design The GENE SIMMONS Alter-Ego: FIRESTARTER!. 14 January 2004. BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 26 December 2019. 26 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191226065737/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/design-the-gene-simmons-alter-ego-firestarter/. live.
  51. Web site: The Prodigy Salute Keith Flint on His 50th Birthday. Jeff. Cornell. Loudwire. 30 March 2020. 30 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200330004940/https://loudwire.com/the-prodigy-honor-keith-flint-50th-birthday/. live.
  52. Firestarter . en . 2024-04-06 . www.youtube.com.

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