| "Out of Space" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by the Prodigy | ||||
| from the album Experience | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | 9 November 1992 | |||
| Recorded | Essex, UK | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
| |||
| Label | XL | |||
| Songwriter | Liam Howlett | |||
| Producer | Liam Howlett | |||
| The Prodigy singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Out of Space" is a song by English electronic music group the Prodigy, released in November 1992, by XL Recordings, as the fourth single from their debut album, Experience (1992). The song, written and produced by Liam Howlett, samples the 1976 song "Chase the Devil" by Max Romeo as well as some lines by rapper Kool Keith on the 1988 track "Critical Beatdown" by Ultramagnetic MCs.[3][4]
"Out of Space" is one of the most successful tracks of the Prodigy's early period, until 1994, and is often played live by the band.[5] The song reached number five on the UK Singles Chart and was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in June 2024. Its accompanying music video was directed by Russell Curtis. In 1998, DJ Magazine included "Out of Space" in their list of "Top 100 Club Tunes".[6]
In 2005, "Out of Space" was released as a remix by Audio Bullys in the single "Voodoo People / Out of Space" from the greatest hits compilation Their Law: The Singles 1990–2005.
Critical reception
In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton said, "This track is by far their most commercial yet. It may not progress much further but is their 4th Top 20 entry this year, not a feat to be sniffed at."[7] Charles Aaron from Spin wrote, "Swirling and constantly transforming, this here's techno that bends your mind and tickles your belly."[2]
Music video
The colour-negative music video for the song, directed by Russell Curtis, featured the band raving in a rural setting. Keith Flint was dressed up in a "raver's outfit", wearing white overalls, a face mask and fluorescent gloves, sniffing Vicks VapoRub. It also featured footage of the band's live shows at the time and ostriches.[8] The video received heavy rotation on MTV Europe in March 1993.[9] In June 1995, it was a Box Top on British music television channel The Box.[10]
Track listings
- UK 7-inch single
- A. "Out of Space"
- B. "Ruff in the Jungle Bizness" (Uplifting Vibes remix) (4:17)
- UK 12-inch single
- "Out of Space" (original mix) (5:07)
- "Out of Space" (Techno Underworld remix) (4:48)
- "Ruff in the Jungle Bizness" (Uplifting Vibes remix) (4:20)
- "Music Reach (1/2/3/4)" (live) (4:21)
- UK CD single
- "Out of Space" (edit) (3:41)
- "Out of Space" (Techno Underworld remix) (4:48)
- "Ruff in the Jungle Bizness" (Uplifting Vibes remix) (4:20)
- "Music Reach (1/2/3/4)" (live) (4:21)
- UK cassette single
- "Out of Space" (3.41)
- "Ruff in the Jungle Bizness" (Uplifting Vibes remix) (4.20)
- US CD single
- "Out of Space" (edit) (3:41)
- "Out of Space" (Techno Underworld remix) (4:48)
- "Out of Space" (Millenium mix) (6:25)
- "Out of Space" (Celestial Bodies mix) (5:44)
- "Ruff in the Jungle Bizness" (Uplifting Vibes mix) (4:20)
- "Jericho" (live version) (4:22)
Note: Tracks 2 and 5 were remixed by Liam Howlett. Tracks 3 and 4 were remixed by Mark Picchiotti and Teri Bristol.
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[29] | Platinum | 723,000[28] |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 9 November 1992 |
|
XL | [30] |
| Australia | 28 June 1993 |
|
[31] | |
| 26 July 1993 | 12-inch vinyl | [32] |
References
- ^ Crawford, David (2015). "The Prodigy - "Out of Space". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die. New York: Universe. p. 690.
- ^ a b Aaron, Charles (April 1993). "Singles". Spin. p. 100. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
- ^ Kulkarni, Neil (26 April 2016). "One Step Forward Two Steps Backward: 1976, Reggae & Critical Amnesia". The Quietus. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ McCann, Ian (16 September 2019). "Chase the Devil — when Max Romeo declared war on Lucifer". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 17 September 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ "The Prodigy Setlist at Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland". Setlist.fm. 30 November 2009. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
- ^ "For those of you that thought good music died in the 90s, this is for you… part one [April 1998]". 909originals.com. 15 April 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
- ^ Masterton, James (16 November 1992). "Week Ending November 21st 1992". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ Roach, Martin (2010). "Chapter 6". The Prodigy: The Official Story – Electronic Punks. ISBN 9781784189648.
- ^ "Station Reports > MTV Europe/London" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 11. 13 March 1993. p. 20. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ "M&M Airplay Station Reports: The Box/London" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 24. 17 June 1995. p. 31. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Re: ARIA Charts Peak". 5 June 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2015 – via Imgur.
- ^ "The Prodigy – Out Of Space" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 50. 12 December 1992. p. 23. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 4. 23 January 1993. p. 20. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
- ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
- ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 2. 9 January 1993. p. 12. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Out of Space". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 7, 1993" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
- ^ "The Prodigy – Out Of Space" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- ^ "The Prodigy – Out Of Space". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- ^ "The Prodigy – Out Of Space". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart on 5/12/1992 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- ^ "The Record Mirror Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). 21 November 1992. p. 6. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ "Hot Dance Music: Club Play" (PDF). Billboard. 20 March 1993. p. 31. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
- ^ "Year End Charts: Top Singles". Music Week. 16 January 1993. p. 8.
- ^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1993" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1993" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
- ^ Copsey, Rob (5 March 2019). "The Prodigy's biggest singles and albums on the Official Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- ^ "British single certifications – Prodigy – Out of Space". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 26 June 2024. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Out of Space Prodigy in the "Search:" field.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 7 November 1992. p. 19.
- ^ "New Release Summary – Product Available from : 28/06/93: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 177. 27 June 1993. p. 18.
- ^ "New Release Summary – Product Available from : 26/07/93: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 181. 25 July 1993. p. 19.
