Voodoo People
"Voodoo People" is a song by British electronic group the Prodigy, released as their eighth single on 12 September 1994. It was the third single from the album Music for the Jilted Generation. It was also released as a 12" single and in EP format in the United States in 1995 through Mute Records. The guitar riff is based on "Very Ape" by Nirvana and is played by Lance Riddler.[3][4]
"Voodoo People" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by the Prodigy | ||||
from the album Music for the Jilted Generation | ||||
Released | 12 September 1994 | |||
Recorded | Essex, England | |||
Genre | Techno[1][2] | |||
Length | 6:27 (album version) | |||
Label | XL Recordings | |||
Songwriter(s) | Liam Howlett | |||
Producer(s) | Liam Howlett | |||
The Prodigy singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Alternate cover | ||||
Mute Records stateside cover |
Critical reception
Dele Fadele from NME wrote, "'Voodoo People' likens the rave scenario to a black magic ritual. With The Prodigy as witchdoctor, of course."[5]
Videos
The original video was directed by Walter Stern and Russell Curtis. It was filmed on location in Saint Lucia and it showed Leeroy Thornhill as a voodoo priest. This version included scenes featuring real witch doctors, but these were cut because of problems with television censorship. A number of other more graphic versions of the video are available, one of them appearing in the Prodigy's Electronic Punks documentary.
Remixes and covers
The British release included a remix by the Chemical Brothers.
The song has been covered by Refused and British funk band 6ix Toys as well remixed by Pendulum (see Voodoo People (Pendulum Remix)) and other known and less known artists such as Eskimo, Alvaro and Shayning. Croatian cello duo 2Cellos have recorded an instrumental version for their album In2ition and have been performing it live on their subsequent tour.
Use in media
The track has also been a part of many soundtracks, such as Hackers, Dobermann, Wasabi, amongst others.
Track listing
UK 12-inch vinyl
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Voodoo People" (Original Mix) | 6:28 |
2. | "Voodoo People" (Haiti Island Remix) | 5:22 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Voodoo People" (Dust Brothers Remix) | 5:56 |
2. | "Goa (The Heat the Energy Part 2)" | 6:04 |
US 12-inch vinyl
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Voodoo People" (The Chemical Brothers Remix) | 5:56 |
2. | "Voodoo People" (Original Mix) | 6:28 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "No Good (Start the Dance)" (CJ Bolland Museum Remix) | 5:14 |
2. | "Speedway (Theme from Fastlane)" (Secret Knowledge Remix) | 10:26 |
Benelux CD single
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Voodoo People" (Edit) | 4:05 |
2. | "Voodoo People" (Dust Brothers Remix) | 5:56 |
CD single
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Voodoo People" (Edit) | 4:05 |
2. | "Voodoo People" (Dust Brothers Remix) | 5:56 |
3. | "Goa (The Heat the Energy Part 2)" | 6:04 |
4. | "Voodoo People" (Original Mix) | 6:28 |
North American EP
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Voodoo People" (Edit) | 4:07 |
2. | "Voodoo People" (Dust Brothers Remix) | 5:56 |
3. | "No Good (Start the Dance)" (CJ Bolland Museum Remix) | 5:13 |
4. | "Rat Poison" | 5:31 |
5. | "Speedway (Theme from Fastlane)" (Secret Knowledge Remix) | 10:25 |
6. | "Voodoo People" (Haiti Island Mix) | 5:25 |
7. | "Voodoo People" (Original Mix) | 6:26 |
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
Certifications
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References
- "BPM for Voodoo People (The Prodigy)". Retrieved 4 November 2019 – via getsongbpm.com.
- "Music for the Jilted Generation - The Prodigy | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
- Moy, Ron (2015). Authorship Roles in Popular Music: Issues and Debates. p. 101. ISBN 9781317672746.
- James, Martin (2015). Dave Grohl - Times Like His: Foo Fighters, Nirvana & Other Misadventures. p. 8. ISBN 9781784187637.
- Fadele, Dele. "THE PRODIGY – Music for the Jilted Generation". NME. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
- "Australian-charts.com – The Prodigy – Voodoo People". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- "Ultratop.be – The Prodigy – Voodoo People" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
- "The Irish Charts – Search Results – The Prodigy". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
- "Dutchcharts.nl – The Prodigy – Voodoo People" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- "Swedishcharts.com – The Prodigy – Voodoo People". Singles Top 100.
- "Swisscharts.com – The Prodigy – Voodoo People". Swiss Singles Chart.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- "Jaarlijsten 1994" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
- "British single certifications – Prodigy – Voodoo People". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 4 October 2019. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Voodoo People in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.