The Prodigy rewrite iconic lyrics after decades of backlash
THE Prodigy have changed the lyrics to Smack My Bitch Up — 26 years after its controversial release.
Maxim, lead singer since the death of Keith Flint, skipped the line and repeated “change my pitch up” at two weekend gigs.
The dance band had made no reference to the switch before the shows — making the new version a major talking point among fans at Alexandra Palace, North London.
The original, a No8 hit in 1997, was accused of glamorising domestic violence and once voted the most controversial song ever.
After refusing to tone down the track for years, The Prodigy performed their reworked version on Friday and Saturday.
Frontman Keith, famed for his horn-like hair and body piercings, died aged 49 in 2019.
The band, who have had seven UK No1 albums and two No1 singles, took a four-year break but are back for a European tour.
Maxim said: “You can’t replace Keith. Who is going to try and fill his gap? There’s just nobody.
“If we got on stage and we didn’t feel it worked, then we wouldn’t do it.
“But, we were excited and we loved it and you can never tell until you do the first show.”