Foster The People – Pumped Up Kicks lyrics

Ohh I feel a rant coming on this song is not new! It has been out for several months and people realize its a good song now. Not fair to the band at all. But then again who am I to talk right? Mmff oh well whats done is done great song but Foster The People 's Pumped Up Kicks has been on the radio scince mid- to late Feburary.

I love this song! I like the "suspense" that this song brings. "all the other kids with the pumped up kicks you better run,better run,outrun my gun! "this song definitely reminds me of halloween, because it reminds me of my friends and their outrageous pranks at a party we went to. We were chasing each other around the yard in the dark and I was singing the chorus part to this song. Thanks, foster the people! ;)

'pumped up kicks' are a designer shoe brand, meaning that the kids that own these must be rich, and perhaps that is why robert wants to shoot them.
He is taunting them with 'run faster than my bullet' as obviously no one can do that.
Essentially, this song is about the troubled teenager robert, in the shooting that took place in an american school where he took out a gun and shot his class mates.
Despite its weird meaning, I love the corus to this song, and even though it's kind of old, I still listen to it.
Hope you get it now! : d

The point of this song was to have a happy tune but was not understandable so kids will look up the lyrics. After that, it both gets many views, comments, and is talked about and it has kids talk to their parents about bullying, suicide, murder, etc. This song, because of that, is overall positive even if the lyrics are a bit dark. Everyone should stop spazing about this song. When compared to some television shows or movies it is completely normal, if not less dark than what we are exposed to.

Pumped up kicks is about the eternal struggle between cowboys and ninjas. While ninjas are clearly faster and smoother than cowboys, the cowboys' use of firearms gives them a huge advantage. "pumped up kicks" refers to the acrobatic movements of the ninja, but the cowboy has the upper hand and implores the ninjas to "run. "
There is some hinting at the idea that perhaps the cowboy once wanted to be a ninja ("the slight of hand is now a quick pull trigger") and this song might even be implying that weapons are an unfair advantage, meaning that the ninja is truly a more skilled fighter. Either way, pumped up kicks is certainly a conversation starter.

It was about a shooting yeah we get it! It was sad in all but come on we need some good sprit to cheer up the people involved and this song is just a memorial of the day that's all it just tells people to watch their mouthes and keep somethings hidden and to listen when someone says something and to watch out for bad people so listen to the song over agian and think of what I said okay!

"daddy comes home to dinner on ice cuz he drinks his dinner. Probably beer. The surprise cud b drugs and the son us use to all the other kids coming over to get in on it. But he's sick of it so since he's threatening that he'll set ur hair on fire with his cigarrette, if he wants, since he really could flip at any time. Then, he wants them all to go away, so he tells them that they'd better run faster than his gun. Pumped up kicks cud b drug habits. "
Now that's the best interpretation I've heard yet.

How many don't even know what the lyrics are. I didn't at first. Then I heard gun and started wondering if I had heard that. So I went looking for the lyrics. Look, we can think kids are going to hear this and go shoot at kids at school, but the fact is that there are already kids who have done it without this song. This is the reality for some kids. Being outcasts in school, but not just outcasts, but actively being bullied. It's one thing to just not have friends. It's another for people to purposely go after you. And some kids feel like the song portrays. They have no one, and all their attempts at asking for help have fallen on deaf ears. One could take this as an opportunity to talk about bullying and how their kids feel about the song as the one poster did. I think I will be doing that with my own daughter who is bullied at school and has been for most of her school life (she is 12).

In a time were kids are so lost in life trying to find their way, to glamourize the idea of murdering people to get your point across is very dangerous. Like this guy in the song, many of our youth don't have a support system in place for guidance, and this song can and will be taken literal. Being a father myself I hope and pray that we as a people will teach our children what is most important in life, and some of the most beautiful things in life are from the things that make someone different. I grew up poor, and I got picked on, I let it motivate me to do well and prove myself in everything I did. Respect is earned, and you can't out a value on the important things in life. Faith, hope, and love. Most of all. Love.

To me robert is contiplating kiliing "all the other kids with the pumped up kicks. " (the cool, socially popular by high school standards, arrogant kids with money, etc.) quote " he'll look around the room, he won't tell u his plan. "
As for the 2nd verse I think he probably doesn't have a good relationship with his dad already. Most likely bc he's a troubled kid dealing with highschool problems (most likely a poor kid) and his father works most of the time and doesn't have time to spend with him. Qoute "daddy works a long day, he'll be coming home late, and he's coming home late. " therefore robert is usually angry and probably thinks about killing his dad as well. Dinner on ice thing probably means a frozen meal (microwavable) bc no one is there to cook. Don't understand the hair on fire, you must've lost ur wits though. Only thing I can draw from this is maybe robert's scatter brain and his mind is racing bc he's gonna kill his dad bc his dad probably won't bring home whatever the surprise was (pumped up kicks or something to help him blend in at school with the popular kids) which is the straw that broke the camel's back! That's why robert's reasoning with his cigarette! Overall - great song, just also wish it had 1 more verse!

I agree the beat is catchy, but the lyrics are very negative. Perhaps, when writing this song the intentions were to create awareness for young adults. Unfortunately now days our teens deviate everything out there. Some may believe is a way out and a way to get rid off their problems. Conscious adults should watch how we say things but worst of all is that it is been played by the radio stations. I wonder what's worst? Those who wrote it or those play it after reading the lyrics.
;

As david explained in his interview, it is about a young guy probably from a one parent family who doesn't fit in with his peers. He's a latch key kid who is bullied at school cuz he "doesn't fit in" and therefore believes there is no way out of his boring 'ticket to nowhere' life. So with his "f___everyone" attitude he decides to leave this life with the big bang fame. Yes, copying the columbine, crandon, wi, and germany massacres, to name a few.
Um. Could the supper packed in ice just be a tv dinner? Hmmm.

Foster the people have done something that rappers do all the time. Ingenious rhythm. I wish they had added more to the words for clarification. I can, reasonable, hear these words and see someone who is struggling in his life without a father being home and there for him and bulling pressures. Looking to a gun to make him feel powerful. This is a real problem we have in our world. I just wish they would have used this incredible tool to grove people to a positive answer for the problems they face.
Guys, come out and talk about this song and its meaning to you/ its inspiration and your real message. Don't leave people to interpret on their own.

I agree that the disconnect between the upbeat music and the dark lyrics reflects the speaker's disconnect with reality, and similarly the disconnect that exists in our world today regarding gun based violence. I think the upbeat tempo also could initially draw people in to singing the song, thus making them more likely to learn the lyrics and hearing the message of the song. This is a clever way of getting their message out!

This song is about one or more socially isolated teenage boys who are at least thinking about shooting other teenagers, probably at school. (The fact that the lyrics switch from 3d person to 1st person suggests that more than one is involved.) "Pumped up kicks" is a radio-friendly euphemism for "fucked up shit," which shows the speaker's distain for those he/they are shooting or at least thinking about shooting. Probably because of the way the speaker perceieves the treatment he's received from the other kids.
The verse about the speaker's father reflects the general lack of parental supervision (and attention) that the speaker gets. No mother is mentioned. The allusion to the father's dinner being packed in ice may be to dinner consisting only of beer, or may be to something more sinister. "Daddy's bringing me a surprise" may speak to the father's unpredictable temper, or may reflect the father's attempt to make up for not spending time with his son by bringing him gifts instead.
The disconnect between the upbeat music and the dark lyrics reflects the speaker's disconnection with reality, which is leading him to at least contemplate shooting up "all you other kids with your fucked up shit."

I like the song because it does bring awareness to kids and postal workers alike. Treat people good; bullying and harassing can seem harmless and make some people feel tall at the time, but in the big picture; it can and a lot of times can back fire. Life is a circle do stuff that you want to have come back around to you. I love the song and I love the beat. I believe the world is becoming aware (Thanks Foster People we love you!)

The gun holder definately is disturbed. Has anger, resentment or jelousy of his peers. He has homocidal thoughts and has been practicing/playing out his attack in his mind.

The lyric "Yeah the slight of my hand is a quick pull trigger." Could mean he has been practicing his draw and seems to plan to show his dad. The "He.s got a rolled cigarette hanging out of his mouth, he.s a cowboy kid" could mean he consideres himself an adult and is making an adult decision to kill his dad.

True Meaning: Robert is gay, but his parents won't accept him as such. So he sits around in his bedroom all day, in anger and depression. He comes up with a plot to kill the boys that he's attracted to in school, and then himself. (The even bigger factor being that some, if not all, of the attractive boys are welcomed as "out.") He comes to the conclusion that this is, in fact, the best decision and carries it out at song's end.
I know this because I wrote this song during a time of frustration and sent it in over the internet. I did not carry out my plan, but almost did. Before doing it, however, I talked to people, and found out that people didn't not talk to me because they hated me, but because I never initiated conversations. Once people knew me & what I was about, I was much more popular in my Junior and Senior years.

"Robert" is an outcast but not by choice. He lives in an abusive poor household and is neglected. His classmates and others his age dislike him and bully him. The taunts remind him of the faults in his life. He is very different. He thinks differently and has built up anger. He goes on an anger induced attack. The "pumped up kicks" speak of how his victims are those who bullied him and taunted him for having less the shoes are implying they have more money and belongings than him. His father is a drunkard the surprise is either a new woman from the bar or abuse. The "dinner" is alcohol. He waited so long to carry out his plan of attack and now he will be known for it. He reasons but not over the carry out of the attack. He finally had his chance to turn the tables taunt the bullies saying they lost their wits for fearing someone who in their eyes was lesser.

Alright well the song maybe ain't about Tate but Tate maybe is created based on the song? The lyrics could be made to fit him and his life in Murder House. or maybe he's made to fit the lyrics. Do you get it?
I read about the song and it's not about Tate, but I still think that Tate may be created based on this lyrics.

"pumped up kicks' is about a kid that basically is losing his mind and is plotting revenge. He's an outcast. I feel like the youth in our culture are becoming more and more isolated. It's kind of an epidemic. Instead of writing about victims and some tragedy, i wanted to get into the killer's mind, like truman capote did in in cold blood. I love to write about characters. That's my style. I really like to get into the minds of the characters. " -mark foster.

I think that it is a kid who has had enough, the problems with other kids, but also the dad working late and this kid has cook dinner and got it ready. This isn't the first time, but when it says daddy is bring home a surprise, myself I think it is that the kid isn't just having problems with other kids, but "surprise" are usually giving to cover for lost time or for the abuse that parent put yu through too, even sexually. The kids hands is quick to pull got the cig lite up and out of its wits.
Yeah the slight of my hand is now a quick pull-trigger
I reason with my cigarette
and say, "your hair's on fire, you must've lost your wits, yeah"

Its about a kid who thinks they don't fit in and hes tierd of trying to fit in with the populare kids so he/she is considering killing them self or other people with the gun she/he had found and on top of that it sound like he/she don't have a very good family and it said that in the song daddy had a long day and hes bringing me a suprise which I thinks means he/she dad is not around very offen so he brings them stuff to try to make up for not being around and not being a very good dad.

I was going to buy the very upbeat song until I realized the lyrics were not "faster than my cousin" and "faster than my brother". Silly huh? When I was growing up that is who we had to "have our back" with fists, but no I will not buy the song that glorifies sniper killing of kids, even if I am wrong. I believe in the personal right to bear arms (second amendment) but not in songs that depict killing humans as sport. Too bad, it was a catchy tune but my perception is that it glorifies something I don't believe in.

Its about a boy called robert, he got bullied when he was younger so he decided to try and find a gun "he found a six-shooter gun
in his dad's closet with in a box of fun things
I don't even know what" when he found the gun he decided to use it towards violence "all the other kids with the pumped up kicks
you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun" the word "all the other kids" means the bullies and all the cool people they better run away from him or he'll shoot them.
Emily :)

It's a song with a dark twisted sense of humor (thus the dark lyrics put to upbeat music). I agree with the person who said this song was not written to "bring social awareness to a problem". That's a cop out explanation from the band. If it was then where's the message? There's nothing about the consequences, or anything of social or intellectual significance. It's just another lame pointless song. Emphasis on the lame.

It doesn't matter what this song means, the lyrics are dark, and the music is upbeat. And catchy. It is just sad that children sing, and whistle to these lyrics. Foster the people should be ashamed of themselves. This is just another way of desensitizing our youth. Mark foster can try and explain the lyrics anyway he likes, he knows this is not about bringing awareness to a problem, it's about killing. People wonder why children take a gun to school. And shoot their classmates, but let their children listen to music with lyrics like this. It's like brainwashed children following the pied piper, except, we are helping them to follow. Enough said.

Its about a kid names robert who finds his father gun along with all his other hunting weapons. His father comes home late from work (bar) and abuses him. Then while getting his dad dinner he gets a pack of ice for his wounds. Then one day he tries to tell himself not to shoot, but he can't control himself. After realising how easy it is to get rid of his problems this way he kills anyone who he hates or that teases him, but gives them a chance to stop before he reacts.

It's about a kid losing his mind, finds his dad's gun and goes on a shooting spree and gun dwn the kids he feel intimidated by, he's insecure, lonely and isolated. Mark wrote this song because he was fedup of crime and to get people to know what's goin on in this world today and how to fix it, he didn't mean use it as ur war anthem. It's not based on columbine shooting. Ilove them so much wish I could marry ponsi.

Um the person who is heartless enough to rite the following it's about how kids can die just because they are wearing good and hot sneakers. It's about people having hot sneakers while he has a gun. People should not be mudering people just 'cause the other person has better clothes than themselves. Well thays not what its about so don't post stuff like that isten to the song before you say stuff like that got it. It was about a kid who got beaten and was made fron of because he wasent as cool as others aand couldent afford stuff like you can or like other people I am not trying to be mean but I just hate it when people are acting like they know the boy.

My impression is that robert is a neglected kid who having found this gun in his father's closet seeks to use it against those he perceives cause him pain. Cowboy kid, cigarette, hairs on fire and kids with the pumped up kicks are allusions to a routine disaffection that may include bullying and shameful materialism in addition to the parental neglect he suffers at home. Clearly, the object is to stop the pain he suffers by retaliating against his tormentors. This is not a solve in its self as robert contemplates his tenuous hold on reality with; waited for a long time, and must have lost your wits. Better run, out run my gun, faster than my bullet, focuses attention on the action, but does not offer a resolution to robert's misery.

This song is very popular. Funny how a not-so-popular inde bands can rise to stardom by a song about shooting people. Lawl.
But, seriously, it's pretty obvious what the song is about.
It's about a boy that was bullied and/or abused by his father to such an extent that he decided to do something about it.
So, in search for something useful, he goes to his father's closet and gets a gun from his father's box of "fun things". Presuming that his father's surprise for him is a beating, or something along those lines, the kid's probably going to shoot him, first, then go after the other people that bullied him. Just get rid of them.

I think that kids should listen to this song the song does make kids cold blooded killers. My kids listen to limp bzkit and I think the his songs sound great and the beats are the best I heard in years. Also if you think about how often do hear of a school shooting like once a year. I think as parents we need to let the little things go like our parents did to us.

As a victim of violence, I applaud the songwriter for bringing awareness to the troubles of todays youth and their thoughts on their "only way out ".
This is what you get when you make guns available as they are here in america. It is funny how we make fun of canadians but they have the right idea and way less violence. It is time we looked at ourselves instead of thinking we are so smart. Heck by the spelling mistakes in the comments made by "yall" we don't look too smart at all.

1st verse: he is just about to start shooting, and is hanging around with a shifty look and a revolver and no one suspects a thing. And the cowboy stuff means he's having fun with the idea of how cool it will be (probably to hae that power). Cowboys are also lone figures which is important. But the line "and i dont even know what" any ideas? Also the fact that hes called "robert", is that name significant?
Chorus: pumped up kicks are probably like nike airs and stuff, which probably means all the trendy popular kids, and hes going to shoot them. By telling them to run (even if not literaly) he is playing with them and enjoying this, because you can't run faster than bullets.
Second verse: it says "daddy works a long day" which I think has an ironic innocense in assuming hes working that whole time. I think whats actually happening when dad's coming home late and bringing a surprise is he's coming home late drunk and beating him. Dinner on ice is neglection. Dinner reference + "ive been waiting a long time" suggests that he is at the dinnertable waiting for his dad to walk in. On top of that I think it also means he has been waiting along time for the opportunity of revenge. Now reasoning with the cigarette is entertaining himself while he waits. The cigarette is probably acting as his concience he personifies it but also dismisses its opinion "and say your hair's on fire, you must have lost your wits"
If you think I got it right let me know and if anyone can help me with that first verse a bit that would be nice.
Ok this is about a mall shooting in which the killer robert who was not as fortunate and abused by his father smoked pot and went on a killing spree targeting the "selfish people who thought better of them selves" when really he was just killing people who looked well (as in newest things, clean, educated, fashionable" it happened in mi.

I believe the song is about a boy whos had enough his dad has a suprise n dinner is ice makes me think his is going to get beat and then hes a loner at school which the cowboy part comes in that n other kids pick on him the whole pumped up kicks I think just means people that have the good life he wants it for his self since he never had it.

I think its about a kid who is bulied at school and when it gets to the point where he can't stand it he brings his dads gun to school and shoots all the kids yes his dad is not a very good dad but he doesn't kill his dad he kills the kids at his school; I love this song it is very catchy and it has a good beat but the meaning is kinda confusing.

It is about a boy called robert that was abused by his father so one night when his father got home from work robert set him on fire, stole his gun and went to the local shopping mall where he made the rich kids (which are reffered to as with pumped up kicks as they were very popular but also very expensive shoes that only the rich could afford) run around and if they did 't run fast enough he would shoot them. Not very nice but when you listen to the lyrics it really does make sense.

People. Can you, please, try to get to the source for information? This is the information age and yet people are so ignorant! First off, kicks are shoes, sneakers. Originally, I had read something that said this song was about the kids who were being killed for their reebok pump sneakers. Well, if you look enough, and I did, you can find out from the artist, himself, what it is about and here you go:.
"pumped up kicks" is a song by american indie pop group foster the people written and recorded by mark foster at mophonics in the venice district of los angeles. Mark foster explained the song's meaning to spinner uk: "pumped up kicks' is about a kid that basically is losing his mind and is plotting revenge. He's an outcast. I feel like the youth in our culture are becoming more and more isolated. It's kind of an epidemic. Instead of writing about victims and some tragedy, i wanted to get into the killer's mind, like truman capote did in in cold blood. I love to write about characters. That's my style. I really like to get inside the heads of other people and try to walk in their shoes. "
Now, get a grip and peruse the internet more before you look like a total tool!

Look! Its a freaking song. Get over it. Ha. Kids and teenagers understand the fact that it is only a song! You all are the only people who are blowing this waaay out of proportion. Calm down. Noone can truly understand what they're saying in the song anyway. Eveb when they do reads up on the lyrics they won't find the need to go s"shoot up" their highschool. Gosh.

I have to say that I agree with some of the analysis here. I think that the idea is that robert (first and third person) are one and the same. I think he is pretty much your ordinary self-centered teen who thinks he is being picked on. There is no evidence to support that he is sexually abused at home, no matter how many folks want to interprit it that way. Abused? Yeah I will agree with the 'beating' theories. But that is as far as I will go.
The genius behind this song is the multilayered meanings. First and foremost among these is the way the song is done. It is so innocent on the outside, really remarkable in its purity, yet harbors such hidden evil upon deeper inspection. Just like the numerous school house shooters that have emerged. It took me a while to pick up on what the heck was being said. But the tune is so, so catchy. Brilliant.
Then, you break down the meaning of the lyrics, which has been done here ad nausium, so I won't go into all that, but I believe robert has found a gun, drugs and a purpose. And to those of you who think that he shot up the school and then came home. I think you have that backwards. I think he is going to shot his father and tomorrow comes the school. Seldom to any of them ever leave the school alive after the spree.
If they were attempting to give us a look into the mind of a spree killer, I think they did a wonderful job of it. Deep song. A lot deeper than most of what is out there today. Kudos!

This song has a different meaning in my opinion. When I listen to this song I don't hear violence. Its how you perceive the song in my belief. I was always a popular kid in high school, then the transition into college I made a few different moves. To me pumped up kicks are the kids who are still trapped in high school who refuse to innovate (change) and give you s*t because after a while you look like a completely different person; while I traded in my pumped up kicks for flat bottom shoes. In other words it's called "growing up". "better run better run faster than my bullet" I interpret as my intelligence to branch from the rest and become successful. "out run my gun" is defined as out running me as a person, in other words better compete or be left behind. Think baseball rich, do it for all your friends, even if they're not on bored at first. Someone needs to take the first step, its better to be the innovator (leader).
Re edited post; hope this helps for all you negative thinkers out there.

This song has a different meaning in my opinion. When I listen to this song I don't hear violence. Its how you perceive the song in my belief. I was always a popular kid in high school, then the transition into college I made a few different moves. To me pumped up kicks are the kids who are still trapped in high school trying to be cool, while I traded in my pumped up kicks for flat bottom lacoste shoes. "better run better run faster than my bullet" I interpret as my intelligence to branch from the rest and become successful.

Like many of you out there, I too was mesmorized by the beat. Not till I found the lyrics did I think it was talking about shooting anyone. Robert is probably a poor little boy who wishes to be like others. His life at home is in shambles and his social life is non existant. I read somewhere that he is dilusional because he talks to his cigarette. His six-shooter gun and to all the pumped up kicks! Great song rhythmitaclly, but be very careful on the dialogue. Peace!

He is a frustrated kid that is angry at the world because of what he has to deal with. "pumped up kicks" refers to the popular and arrogant kids that put him down because he doesn't come from a home with money. "dinner's in the kitchen and it's packed in ice" is an old saying used to refer to people that are alcoholics. His dad is a drunk, and keeps promising him a "surprise" most likely pumped up kicks to make him feel less isolated, but because of his drinking problem never does. "reason with my cigarette" literally means he is reasoning with it like he would with a person, because he's losing his grip on reality. "you're hair's on fire must have lost you're wit" is him talking to his cigarette.

Talked to my kid (13) and he loves this song. So we discussed! He says this can just be the frustration coming out in a song. Safely! (but before I explained it he thought is was like a video game, fake! He says it matters what the listener thinks. And chooses to act out based on what they already were thinking.
I (his mom) love the song too cause the catchy and awesome tune. I also pay attention to my kids and what they do! I am a psychology student and social service student. I care about the world and people! But I understand kids need outlets and music is one! Just watch the children's behaviors. You can see something like this coming. Almost all the kids that survived school shootings said that they knew something was going on with the kid who looses it. We need to be active in our kids lives. To the point of intrusion. And do what they do to learn more and this will also help make closer relationships! Good luck all and ty to foster the people for not letting us shut our eyes so we can't pretend the world is perfect! :)

Pumped up kicks is about robert who has been bullied and abused most of his life. He has nobody to turn to and is turning to homicide to solve his problem. He will kill his alcoholic abusive father and his bullies. Song itself is realy good. Its a song an outcast can relate to and a song I feeel in my heart. I can relate to the character that is portraied.

Verse 1: he's robert, talking in 3rd person. He sounds very cocky, and hes thinking hes badass and cool for finding the gun and imagining himself as a lone cowboy. He must live in an isolated, imaginary world
.
Chorus: pumped up kicks are the cool rich kid shoes, and hes taunting the kids, saying that there cool shoes arent gonna help them run away when he shoots them. It sound like hes enjoying this thought. Chilling.
Verse 2: sounds like his dad is neglectful coming home late every night and leaving robert all alone. His "surprise" might be coming home drunk and beating him. Roberts been planning to kill his dad for a long time. Personifying his cigarette shows he is lonely and friendless and also shows his slipping into insanity.

You guys sure it's not about Tate from American Horror Story, Murder House?

The kids with the pumped up kicks could be the students at school where he does a massacre, it would totally make sense. They sing "better run, better run, outrun my gun" and "better run, better run, faster than my bullet".

He rolls cigarettes with Violet "he's got a rolled cigarette"

He sets a teacher(or is it the principal, or his dad? idk) on fire after throwing gasoline at him "Your hairs on fire"

He isn't completely honest to his psychologist(Violets dad) and doesn't tell him about his plans "He wont tell you his plan"

I love meth too. The song is not about a kid with a gun. The song is about shoes. Patent leather shoes. The gun part is about the cow they kill to make the leather shoes. Not sure why some think this is about revenge and bullying - are you fools reading the same lyrics? Either way, the song rocks and I sing it on the basketball court when dunking over the weaker kids!