"Firestarter"
song
Single by the Prodigy
from the album The Fat of the Land
B-side"Molotov Bitch"
Released18 March 1996 (1996-03-18)
RecordedEssex, England
Genre
Length
  • 4:42 (album version)
  • 3:45 (edit)
LabelXL
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Liam Howlett
The Prodigy singles chronology
"Poison"
(1995)		 "Firestarter"
(1996)		 "Breathe"
(1996)
Music video
"Firestarter" on YouTube

"Firestarter" is a song by British band the Prodigy, released on 18 March 1996 as the first single from their third album, The Fat of the Land (1997). It 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. In 2020, British newspaper The Guardian ranked the song number eight on their list of "The 100 Greatest UK No 1 Singles".[3]

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

British magazine Music Week rated "Firestarter" five out of five, picking it as Single of the Week. The reviewer added, "Powerful return for the kings of live techno."[4] Brad Beatnik from the magazine's RM Dance Update described it as "a typically searing chunk of heavy techno featuring some manie vocale and an awesome synth line". He concluded, "Straight in the Top 10, no question, and destined to be pounded in the clubs."[5] Gerald Martinez from New Sunday Times noted its "heavy metal meets techno-dance stylisations".[6] 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."[7] 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."[8]

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.[9]

Impact and legacy

In October 2011, NME placed it at number 52 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".[10] 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.[11] 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.[12] In 2020, British newspaper The Guardian ranked "Firestarter" number eight on their list of "The 100 Greatest UK No 1 Singles".[13] In 2022, Rolling Stone ranked it number 110 on their list of "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time".[14]

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[63] Gold 6,452[63]
New Zealand (RMNZ)[64] Platinum 10,000*
Sweden (GLF)[65] Gold 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[66] 2× Platinum 1,200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[67] Gold 500,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom 18 March 1996
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 XL [68]
Japan 22 May 1996 CD Avex Trax [69]

Notable 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.[70] 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.[71][72][73] [74]

References

  1. ↑ Weiss, Dan (27 April 2015). "Q&A: The Prodigy Look Back on the Most Aggressive Career in Electronic History". Spin. Archived from the original on 21 August 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  2. ↑ Pattison, Louis (2008). "The Prodigy Fat Of The Land Review". bbc.co.uk. BBC. Archived from the original on 12 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  3. ↑ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben; Petridis, Alexis; Snapes, Laura (5 June 2020). "The 100 Greatest UK No 1s: 100–1". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  4. ↑ "Reviews" (PDF). Music Week. 9 March 1996. p. 12. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  5. ↑ Beatnik, Brad (9 March 1996). "Hot Vinyl — Tune of the Week" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 9. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  6. ↑ Martinez, Gerald (8 November 1998). "Dance fever for one and all". New Sunday Times. p. 13. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  7. ↑ "The Prodigy: Their Law: The Singles Album Review - Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Archived from the original on 1 July 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  8. ↑ Sinclair, David (23 March 1996). "Pop Single; Weekend". The Times.
  9. ↑ "Video - Firestarter | Video". Musicpilgrimages.com. Archived from the original on 21 April 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  10. ↑ "150 Best Tracks Of The Past 15 Years". NME. 26 March 2014. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  11. ↑ Colothan, Scott (6 March 2019). "Prodigy fans launch 'Firestarter for Number 1' campaign in memory of Keith Flint". Planet Radio. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  12. ↑ "The Prodigy Return to Billboard's Charts After Keith Flint's Death" Archived 15 March 2019 at the Wayback Machine from Billboard (13 March 2019)
  13. ↑ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben; Petridis, Alexis; Snapes, Laura (5 June 2020). "The 100 Greatest UK No 1s: 100–1". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  14. ↑ Dolan, Jon; Lopez, Julyssa; Matos, Michaelangelo; Shaffer, Claire (22 July 2022). "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  15. ↑ Firestarter (UK CD single liner notes). The Prodigy. XL Recordings. 1996. XLS 70 CD.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ↑ Firestarter (Australian CD single liner notes). The Prodigy. XL Recordings, Dance Pool, Columbia Records. 1996. 663078 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ↑ Firestarter (Japanese CD single liner notes). The Prodigy. Avex Trax. 1996. AVCD-30033.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ↑ Firestarter (US maxi-CD single liner notes). The Prodigy. Maverick Records, Mute Records. 1997. 9 43843-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ↑ Firestarter (UK 12-inch single sleeve). The Prodigy. XL Recordings. 1996. XLS 70 CD.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ↑ Firestarter (US 12-inch single sleeve). The Prodigy. Maverick Records, Mute Records. 1996. 8001-0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ↑ Firestarter (UK cassette single sleeve). The Prodigy. XL Recordings. 1996. XLC 70.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ↑ Firestarter (European CD single liner notes). The Prodigy. XL Recordings. 1996. XLSCDX 70.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ↑ Firestarter (US CD single liner notes). The Prodigy. Maverick Records, Mute Records. 1996. 9 17387-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ↑ Firestarter (US cassette single sleeve). The Prodigy. Maverick Records, Mute Records. 1996. 9 17387-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  25. ↑ "The Prodigy – Firestarter". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  26. ↑ "The Prodigy – Firestarter" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  27. ↑ "The Prodigy – Firestarter" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  28. ↑ "The Prodigy – Firestarter" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  29. ↑ "The Prodigy Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 12 October 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  30. ↑ "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 3182." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  31. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 20. 18 May 1996. p. 26. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 August 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  32. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 14. 6 April 1996. p. 22. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  33. ↑ "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 18. Prometheus Global Media. 4 May 1996. p. 48. ISSN 0006-2510.
  34. ↑ "Prodigy: Firestarter" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  35. ↑ "The Prodigy – Firestarter" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  36. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 15. 13 April 1996. p. 25. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 August 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  37. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (27.4. – 3.5. '96)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 27 April 1996. p. 26. Archived from the original on 4 June 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  38. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Firestarter". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  39. ↑ "Hits of the World – Italy" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 21. 24 May 1997. p. 50. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 June 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  40. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 18, 1996" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  41. ↑ "The Prodigy – Firestarter" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  42. ↑ "The Prodigy – Breathe". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  43. ↑ "The Prodigy – Breathe". VG-lista. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  44. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  45. ↑ "The Prodigy – Breathe". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  46. ↑ "The Prodigy – Breathe". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  47. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  48. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  49. ↑ "The Prodigy Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  50. ↑ "The Prodigy Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  51. ↑ "2019 Archive: Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales (March 16, 2019)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  52. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1996" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on 10 April 2008. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  53. ↑ "Rapports annuels 1996" (in French). Ultratop. Archived from the original on 17 April 2008. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  54. ↑ "1996 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 51/52. 21 December 1996. p. 12. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  55. ↑ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1996" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  56. ↑ "Árslistinn 1996". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 2 January 1997. p. 16. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  57. ↑ "Top 40 – Jaargang 32, 1996". Dutch Top 40 (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Archived from the original on 1 January 2004. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  58. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1996" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Archived from the original on 18 October 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  59. ↑ "Årslista Singlar, 1996" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on 26 August 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  60. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1996" (in German). Archived from the original on 24 February 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  61. ↑ "Top 100 Singles 1996". Music Week. 18 January 1997. p. 25.
  62. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1997". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on 22 June 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  63. 1 2 "Prodigy" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  64. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – The Prodigy – Firestarter". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  65. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  66. ↑ "British single certifications – Prodigy – Firestarter". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  67. ↑ "American single certifications – Prodigy – Firestarter". Recording Industry Association of America. 9 April 1997. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  68. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 16 March 1996. p. 35. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  69. ↑ "ファイアスターター | プロディジー" [Firestarter | Prodigy] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  70. ↑ Gaines, Caseen (23 September 2017). "'The Weird Al Show': The Complete Oral History". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  71. ↑ "Design The GENE SIMMONS Alter-Ego: FIRESTARTER!". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 14 January 2004. Archived from the original on 26 December 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
  72. ↑ Torre Florim (DE STAAT) - Firestarter (Official Music Video) on YouTube
  73. ↑ Cornell, Jeff. "The Prodigy Salute Keith Flint on His 50th Birthday". Loudwire. Archived from the original on 30 March 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  74. ↑ Firestarter, 21 February 2020, retrieved 18 August 2022
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