The Fat of the Land cover art

  Studio Album · No. 3

The Fat of the Land Songwriting Credits by The Prodigy

1997 XL Recordings 10 tracks 56 min

Produced by Liam Howlett  ·  Engineered by Neil McLellan

XL Recordings Big BeatElectronic RockElectropunkTechno
90%
Authorship
Artist

Holds writing credit on 9 of 10 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 9 / 10 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether The Prodigy carries a lyricist or composer credit.

90%
9 trackswritten by The Prodigy 1 trackoutside writers
The Prodigy's roles on this album

Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist90%
Composer90%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

10
Tracks
24
Lyricists
1
Producers
2
No.1 Singles
10 million
Worldwide Copies Sold
1997
Released

Awards & Recognition 2

Best Alternative Music Album (1998, Nominated)
Mercury Prize (1997, Nominated)
Data Insight

Liam Howlett remained the principal writer and producer, but this album marks the point where Keith Flint moved from frontman to credited songwriter, co-writing 'Firestarter.' That track interpolates the wah-wah guitar riff from The Breeders' 'S.O.S.' and pulls additional samples from Art of Noise and Ten City, giving its writing credit a long list of names beyond the band. 'Smack My Bitch Up' samples Ultramagnetic MCs' 'Give the Drummer Some,' lifting the Kool Keith line that became its hook and title. The record pushed the band's big beat sound to a global audience, debuting at number 1 on the US Billboard 200.

The Fat of the Land is the 1997 third studio album by The Prodigy, a big beat and electronic rock record released on June 30, 1997. Liam Howlett produced the album and played keyboards, while Keith Flint and Maxim Reality provided vocals and Leeroy Thornhill contributed as a dancer. It produced the singles "Firestarter," "Breathe," and "Smack My Bitch Up," the last of which drew objections from the National Organization for Women. The album topped both the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200, and Guinness World Records named it the fastest-selling dance album in the UK in 1999. Certified 2x Platinum in the US and 5x Platinum in the UK, it had sold more than 10 million copies worldwide by 2019 and remains the band's best-selling release.

Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Smack My Bitch Up #8
Liam HowlettCedric MillerTrevor RandolphMaurice SmithKool Keith Liam HowlettCedric MillerTrevor RandolphMaurice SmithKeith Thornton Liam Howlett Maxim (Rap)Keith Flint (Lead Vocals)
2
Breathe #1
Liam HowlettKeith FlintMaxim Liam HowlettKeith FlintKeith Palmer Liam Howlett Keith FlintMaxim
3
Diesel Power
Liam HowlettKool Keith Liam HowlettKeith Thornton Liam Howlett Kool Keith
4
Funky Shit
Liam HowlettMike DAd-RockMCA Liam HowlettMichael DiamondAdam HorovitzAdam Yauch Liam Howlett Maxim (Rap)Keith Flint (Lead Vocals)
5
Serial Thrilla
Liam HowlettKeith FlintLeonard ArranSkin Liam HowlettKeith FlintLeonard ArranDeborah Dyer Liam Howlett Keith Flint
6
Mindfields
Liam HowlettMaxim Liam HowlettKeith Palmer Liam Howlett Maxim
7
Narayan
Liam HowlettCrispian Mills Liam HowlettCrispian Mills Liam Howlett Crispian Mills
8
Firestarter #1
Liam HowlettKeith FlintKim DealAnne DudleyTrevor HornGary LanganJ.J. JeczalikPaul Morley Liam HowlettKeith FlintKimberly DealAnne DudleyTrevor HornGary LanganJonathan JeczalikPaul Morley Liam Howlett Keith Flint
9
Climbatize
Liam HowlettTimothy Taylor Liam HowlettTimothy Taylor Liam Howlett Maxim (Rap)Keith Flint (Lead Vocals)
10
Fuel My Fire
Donita SparksPeter JonesRoss KnightBill Walsh Donita SparksPeter JonesRoss KnightBill Walsh Liam Howlett Saffron

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 33 contributors

LH
Liam Howlett
Writer · Producer
On this album9 written
KF
Keith Flint
Writer · Vocals
On this album3 written
KP
Keith Palmer
Writer
On this album2 written
KT
Keith Thornton
Writer
On this album2 written
KK
Kool Keith
Writer
On this album2 written
M
Maxim
Writer · Rap
On this album2 written
A
Ad-Rock
Writer
On this album1 written
AH
Adam Horovitz
Writer
On this album1 written
AY
Adam Yauch
Writer
On this album1 written
AD
Anne Dudley
Writer
On this album1 written
BW
Bill Walsh
Writer
On this album1 written
CM
Cedric Miller
Writer
On this album1 written

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Frequently Asked Questions The Fat of the Land

Did Liam Howlett write The Fat of the Land?
Liam Howlett was the principal writer and producer of the album. This record is notable for Keith Flint becoming a credited songwriter, co-writing 'Firestarter.' Howlett handled the bulk of the composition, production and mixing himself, with Neil McLellan engineering.
What does The Prodigy's Firestarter sample?
'Firestarter' interpolates the wah-wah guitar riff from The Breeders' 'S.O.S.' It also samples Art of Noise's 'Close (to the Edit)' for its vocal hook and the Ten City remix of 'Devotion' for drums. Because of these elements, the song's writing credits include Kim Deal, Trevor Horn, Anne Dudley and others alongside Howlett and Flint.
What does Smack My Bitch Up by The Prodigy sample?
'Smack My Bitch Up' samples Ultramagnetic MCs' 'Give the Drummer Some.' The hook is taken from a Kool Keith vocal on that track. Members of Ultramagnetic MCs are credited as co-writers as a result.
Did The Fat of the Land reach number 1 in the US?
Yes. The album debuted at number 1 on the US Billboard 200, an unusual feat for a British electronic act. It also topped the charts in the UK and several other countries. The record has sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
Was The Fat of the Land nominated for a Grammy?
Yes. It was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards, losing to Radiohead's OK Computer. The album was also shortlisted for the 1997 Mercury Music Prize.
How well did the singles from The Fat of the Land chart?
'Firestarter' and 'Breathe' both reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart, while 'Smack My Bitch Up' peaked at number 8. In the United States, 'Firestarter' reached number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.
How is The Fat of the Land certified?
The album is certified 5x Platinum by the BPI in the United Kingdom and 2x Platinum by the RIAA in the United States. It also reached 3x Platinum in Canada and 2x Platinum in Australia.

Sources

Wikipedia: The Fat of the Land Wikipedia: Firestarter (The Prodigy song) Wikipedia: Breathe (The Prodigy song) Wikipedia: Smack My Bitch Up MusicBrainz release group Cover Art Archive front cover Cover Art Archive: The Fat of the Land by The Prodigy