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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

Prodigy vocalist Keith Flint wrote the lyrics, which basically describe him. "Flint" is a material used to start fires. (thanks, Aaron - Des Moines, IA)

This was the first single by The Prodigy to feature Flint on vocals.

The guitar riff was sampled from The Breeders song "S.O.S.". The "Hey, Hey, Hey" refrain was borrowed from The Art Of Noise's "Close (To The Edit)."

The video was shot in a tube tunnel at the disused Aldwych station in London and showed Keith Flint wearing an American flag T-shirt and a Mohician haircut looking very menacing. The terrifying video was slammed by the fire service as an incitement to arson. The tabloids criticized it for frightening young children.

The Foo Fighters' "Weenie Beenie," a track on their debut album, provided inspiration for this song. (thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England, for above 4)

The Prodigy's main songwriter Liam Howlett told Q magazine March 2008: "I'd started The Fat Of The Land and I'd done the first track, an instrumental: 'Firestarter.' Keith comes in and goes, 'If I'm ever going to do any lyrics, I'm going to do it on this tune.'"

Keith Flint added in the same Q interview: "I remember Liam on the phone to (their record label boss) Richard Russell. He said, 'Do you think these words describe Keith: Twisted? Self Inflicted? Yes, very much so.' The lyrics were about being onstage: this is what I am. Some of it is a bit deeper than it seems."

There was a Hermann Goring quote on the album sleeve that provoked reactions: "We have no butter, but I ask you, would you rather have butter or guns?" Howlett expressed surprise that Q magazine deemed it controversial: "Really? I never got any slack off that being a Nazi quote. I just thought it was relevant. It was a b-boy quote." (A b-boy is someone who is devoted to hip-hop culture).

The Fat Of The Land went to #1 in 23 countries in its first week of release. In the UK it was one of the fastest selling LPs ever, in The Fat Of The Land's debut week its total sales were greater than all the other 99 of the top 100 albums combined.

Keith Flint was asked by Q magazine November 2009 what he considers to be The Prodigy's best lyric. He replied: "That's one of the hardest questions I've ever been asked. I'd better say one of mine. Having barely written anything at school, and then writing the nine lines of Firestarter in Liam's room… I was taking the piss. Causing a stir, f--king people off! I believe that naiveté served me well."

Comments:

saw them yesterday at adelaide big day out 09. f*cking insane. keithl's a legend
- nady, adelaide, Australia

this was the first prodigy song i heard. the first thing that came into me was "damn!this is kinda trippy like looking tasting tastig smelling feeling" lol
- beau, Mount Gambier, Australia

great live- big day out perth australia 96
- paul marlo, perth, australia

saw them live in '93.keith's stage presence is awe-inspiring!!!
- Theo, Johannesburg, South Africa

brilliant song., The prodigy are genius!!!!
- Freak, Offaly

terrible song! the Prodigy rele need to take a run and jump!!
- Ben, Portsmouth, England