Dave on 'Smack My Bitch Up'

Kerrang! 1997

As The Prodigy's single 'Smack My Bitch Up' came under fire from women's groups and the media, Kerrang! asked Dave, a long term fan of the band, what he thought.

"The song presents a weird ethical dilemma. Since 'Smack my bitch up' is the line in only song, it's difficult to create an ironic context for it, and it's a touchy situation. Of course nobody agrees with the idea of smacking anyone up, much less 'my bitch', and the Prodigy can't knowingly promote the idea of violence against women. Yet how can you get around the title? I love the band so much I can't believe they'd mean it in anything but an ironic way."