[DIVE INTO MUSIC] The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up (1997)

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An unassuming cover for this single.

Let's get this out of the way right off the bat. This is a banned video. If nudity, sexuality, drug use and violence are not something you're willing to sit through I strongly suggest you do not watch this video. For those that can handle the darker aspects of life, welcome and enjoy the ride if you've never seen this before.

The Prodigy, a collective originating from Essex; that's in the United Kingdom for those that may be unaware, came together in 1990. Formed by Liam Howlett but often mistaken as formed by their over-the-top vocalist Keith Flint and his reverse mohawk. RIP Keith, it seems most from this era cannot seemingly make it into old age without suicide being the ultimate way out. We've lost so many recently and I hope it's a trend that will not continue forward.

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The third single off their third studio album.

This is another killer single off their Fat of the Land album. Firestarter and breathe were the other two big hits. Who would have thought their third single would have brought them this much press? The title and more importantly the video is what people were talking about when this dropped.

This particular cut of the video was not in heavy rotation. The censored version was and still had an impact but not as visceral as the uncut version. This was 1997, music videos and live television were still a massive draw unlike today. You couldn't air just anything. The uncensored version was still available but only played at the early hours of the morning if you were lucky.

The title itself had it's own controversy even without the accompanying video.

During an interview with the Swedish director Jonas Akerlund in regards to what he was experiencing when this video was released he said the following

In England they were really angry because of the violence and in America they didn’t like it because of the nudity! So in England the feminists hated it and in America the feminists loved it! I remember somebody sending me a tape of this show with a priest talking about it in England. And I was like ‘What the fuck is going on?’ Ha Ha!

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Nudity and violence will always be tied to certain countries and their own ideals. He explained exactly how it is and will forever be. I'd like to think the human form is beautiful and nothing to be ashamed of. Ugly or beautiful, in the real world it trumps violence at every turn.

As for Liam Howlett's take he had the following to say according to an article from MTV

To be honest, we're ready for whatever is thrown us. You can't not be ready and use a lyric like that. To be honest, people, if they think that song is about smacking girlfriends up, then they're pretty brainless.

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For a song that consists primarily of a sample from Ultramagnetic MC's track Give the Drummer Some off their 1988 album Critical Breakdown this caused a major stir. The lyrics are simple and pack a punch.
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Change my pitch up. Smack my bitch up

I wonder too if this strategic sample was used as a commentary about sampling and the power it can contain. Since you're not speaking these words yourself can you deny responsibility for using them? This whole track is an exercise in playing with people. While the band never backed down on their use, it was a further jab at everyone.

Let us not forget the way the Beastie Boys acted towards the band at the Reading festival in 1998. True hypocrites talking about this song being degrading to women. Did people forget about their track Girls? Women in cages and all the other nonsense they were doing throughout their career? The Beastie Boys are a tale for another time and they were summarily put back in their place after comments like this.

The video consists of a night of debauchery. All shot from a first person perspective. Shower, get dressed, snort some coke, hit the clubs, start some fights, shoot some heroin, hit the strip club, puke a few times in between, hook up with someone. A standard for a Friday night for certain people.

Here's the spoiler but not a spoiler all these years later.

Our preconceived notion is that our vessel we are looking through is male except it's female. How can a woman act like this? This is unacceptable. Flipping expectations is what made this the ultimate thumb in the eye of modern day society and I still know this entire topic makes people uncomfortable to this day.

My suggestion is to keep an open mind. I guarantee that if you listen to the track without the visuals you will have a completely different experience. The song is a killer either way but the visuals add a completely new experience for those willing to take the tour.

Keep subverting expectations, this is the true way forward in all respects.