After 60 proper legends of pop (OK, you may have thought that some were a bit iffy), it is now time for my Top 20 Leg Ends of pop. These are those groups or artists that have had hits and sold well, but by no means a favourite of mine.
I do know that some of you will really like these, as there is no accounting for taste.
Now, SB does not like the use of profanity in the articles (comments fine, not articles), therefore if I say, for example, “Clut” I mean that well known GP word which is a sign of endearment, and if I say the word “Fluff” it is a well know word beginning with F, four letters, last letter a K, 2nd letter a U and just in case there is doubt, the 3rd letter is a C. The use of the word “Sausage” means that four letter word for when evacuating the bowels.
To compile this series of Leg Ends, I could not bring myself to do much research, instead I contacted Brett from this Parish, who very kindly sent me his play list of dire, dreadful, suicidal and basically fluffing songs generally done by right Cluts which are all pretty Sausage.
So, on we go with No 20 on my list: The Prodigy:
They first came to my notice with that hit song “Firestarter”. I remember it being played on ToTP and thought, what a load of sausage. My view has not changed. After Flint’s death by what looks to be “accidental hanging”, they played a lot of their songs on the radio, but to this day, never liked one of them.
The Prodigy are an English electronic dance music band formed in Braintree, Essex, in 1990 by producer, keyboardist and songwriter Liam Howlett. The original line-up also featured MC and vocalist Maxim, dancer and vocalist Keith Flint, dancer and live keyboardist Leeroy Thornhill, and dancer and vocalist Sharky, until 1991. They are credited as pioneers of the breakbeat-influenced genre big beat, which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s. Howlett’s rock-inspired drum rhythms infused with electronic rave music beats/breaks were combined with Maxim’s omnipresent mystique, Thornhill’s shuffle dancing style, and Flint’s later modern punk appearance. The Prodigy describe their style as electronic punk.
The band emerged during the underground rave scene and achieved early success in 1991 with their debut singles “Charly” and “Everybody in the Place“, which reached the UK top five. After their debut album Experience (1992), the band moved from their rave roots and incorporated techno, breakbeat, and rock influences on their follow-up, the critically-acclaimed Music for the Jilted Generation (1994). The band reached their commercial and critical peak with their third studio album The Fat of the Land (1997), which went to No. 1 in 16 countries including the UK and the US, and spawned the UK number one singles “Firestarter” and “Breathe“. The album’s third single, “Smack My Bitch Up“, was a UK top ten hit and generated considerable controversy over its suggestive lyrics and music video. In July 2022, the band completed their first tour since 2019, and their first since Flint’s death, also in 2019.
The Prodigy remain one of the most successful electronic groups of all time. They have sold an estimated 25 million records worldwide, including over 4.7 million albums in the UK, and have scored seven consecutive UK number one albums. They earned titles like “the premiere dance act for the alternative masses” and “the Godfathers of Rave”. The Prodigy have won numerous 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 two Grammy Award nominations.
Unlike the proper Legends where I tried to find good live performance tracks, these tunes are so bad, I thought it best to find official versions, so at least they sound in tune, well sort of.
The Prodigy – Charly (Official Video) – I must have this load of sausage, sort of thing if it cam on the radio I would change channel.
The Prodigy – Everybody In The Place (Official Video) – repetitive sausage
The Prodigy – Fire (Official Video), worra load of fluffing sausage. Based loosely on Arthur Brown’s Fire – The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown @ TOTP 1968, this was bad enough, but tolerable. The prodigy snatching defeat from the claws of victory.
The Prodigy – Smack My Bitch Up – Their most controversial song. Another load of old sausage,
5 tunes here (well 4). It is the sort of thing you either like or hate. It is only right though to try and include songs and artists of all flavours, including sausage.
Singalong, enjoy and be happy! But please post some decent stuff.
Links to previous Legend articles:
Featured image: “The Prodigy” by mhauri is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
© Phil the ex test manager 2022
