“Pumped Up Kicks” Lyrics & Meaning (Foster The People)

Pumped Up Kicks has generated a lot of controversy over the years.

Numerous radio stations have banned it and plenty of critics still attack it to this day.

Even Mark Foster, the singer and writer responsible for song, says he is considering retiring it.

The band Foster The People has always defended their biggest hit, but Foster says he can’t control how people receive it.

And since some people have said the song reopens old wounds and causes them pain, Foster feels it might be best to stop performing it.

After all, the band never intended to cause pain.

They just wanted to bring awareness to a deadly serious issue.

So what exactly is the controversial issue at the heart of the song?

Keep reading for the full lyrics to Pumped Up Kicks, followed by an analysis of their meaning.

 

Pumped Up Kicks Lyrics And Meaning

If you’re into indie, you’ve certainly heard the famous Pumped Up Kicks. Released in 2010, the song was on Foster The People’s first EP and was incredibly successful. In fact, it is still playing on the radio to this day.

And rightly so. Foster The People’s biggest hit has a light and infectious sound. But what you might not know is that, the lyrics actually talk about a sad and serious topic.

Let’s dive right in and take a look at the complete lyrics to Pumped Up Kicks, before we explore the story and meaning behind this great song.

 

Pumped Up Kicks Lyrics

Verse 1

Robert’s got a quick hand
He’ll look around the room, he won’t tell you his plan
He’s got a rolled cigarette
Hanging out his mouth, he’s a cowboy kid
Yeah, he found a six-shooter gun
In his dad’s closet with a box of fun things
I don’t even know what
But he’s coming for you, yeah, he’s coming for you, wait

Chorus

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run faster than my bullet
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run faster than my bullet

Verse 2

Daddy works a long day
He be coming home late, and he’s coming home late
And he’s bringing me a surprise
‘Cause dinner’s in the kitchen and it’s packed in ice
I’ve waited for a long time
Yeah, the sleight 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

Chorus

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run faster than my bullet
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run faster than my bullet

Bridge

Run, run, run, run
Ru-ru-ru-run, run, run
Ru-ru-ru-ru-run, run, run, run
Ru-ru-ru-run
Run, run, ru-run, run

Chorus

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run faster than my bullet
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run faster than my bullet
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run faster than my bullet

 

Pumped Up Kicks Meaning

Before we analyze the lyrics, let’s talk a little about the theme of the song. According to Mark Foster himself, Pumped Up Kicks is based on the school massacres in the United States.

Unfortunately, the American people have gotten very used to these tragedies in schools, churches, and other public places. According to Wikipedia, the frequency of such events has tripled in the country since 2011.

One of the most famous cases was the Columbine massacre, which took place in April 1999. Two students planned a complex attack on their school (Columbine High School).

Their plan of attack was not limited to just shooting. It also included bombs and other explosive devices. The incident resulted in 15 deaths — including the shooters’ suicides — and 24 people injured.

From then on, schools strengthened their security, but other cases ended up happening. These tragedies are a strong factor in the discussion about legal gun ownership in the US. Even Madonna released a song about it recently.

Thinking about these events, Mark Foster wanted to compose a song dealing with this topic. The song is not a direct criticism. The composer tried to imagine what the mind of an isolated and psychotic teenager would be like. Thus, the song tells the story of a fictional character, Robert.

 

Introducing Robert

Robert’s got a quick hand (Robert has a quick hand)
He’ll look around the room, but won’t tell you his plan
He’s got a rolled cigarette
Hanging out his mouth, he’s a cowboy kid (Hanging out his mouth, he’s a cowboy kid)

It seems like the writer did his research. Robert has a similar profile to most shooters. According to the US Secret Service, the attacks tend to be premeditated and caused by male teenagers who have been bullied by their peers.

They usually begin to demonstrate some need for help or some mental problems.

Here, it looks like Robert lives out his own cowboy fantasy, doesn’t it? It’s interesting to think that, in this Wild West universe, cowboys who kill their enemies are cool and admired. Maybe that’s the character’s thinking.

Yeah, he found a six-shooter gun
In his dad’s closet, and with a box of fun things
I don’t even know what (And I don’t even know what happened)
But he’s coming for you, yeah, he’s coming for you (But he’s coming for you, yeah, he’s coming for you)

Now the character has the weapon to carry out his plans. The singer himself says: “I don’t even know what happened.” That’s what everyone always says after these shootings. It’s hard for most of us to understand, let alone explain, what makes someone commit this type of crime.

 

Robert’s Point Of View

In the chorus, the lyrics are in the first person. It’s like Robert is talking to us:

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run outrun my gun (You better run, better run faster than my gun)
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run faster than my bullet (You better run, you better run faster than my bullet)

Heavy, huh? It’s interesting how the lyrics contrast with the sound of the song: if the song was aggressive rock, for example, maybe it wouldn’t play so much on the radio. But the message of Pumped Up Kicks is there behind the dancing sound.

The expression “pumped up kicks,” which we translate to expensive sneakers, comes from the Reebok Pumps line of shoes. The footwear, launched in 1989, has a very characteristic style and involves cushioning technology. Thus, it became a symbol of expensive and stylish sneakers.

In the second part of the song, the point of view is officially Robert’s. An example is this stanza:

I’ve waited for a long time (I’ve waited too long)
Yeah, the sleight of my hand is now a quick-pull trigger
I reason with my cigarette
Then say: “Your hair’s on fire
You must have lost your wits, yeah” (You must have lost your mind, yeah)

In this part, it looks like Robert isn’t sure if he’s going to commit the crime. He talks to himself – or remembers what people said to him. And he already seems not to be well mentally: “you must have lost your mind.”

Then we go back to the chorus, which is repeated several times. Perhaps it is to convey the idea that Robert repeats this idea of ​​committing the crime to himself, proud of making the other kids in expensive sneakers suffer.

 

Pumped Up Kicks Lyrics And Meaning

Many people have criticize this song, saying that it seems to encourage violence (and the upbeat and almost happy style of the song does support this claim), but Mark Foster has always defended himself in this regard.

According to him, it was an attempt to remind people that the issue of school shootings has to do with bullying and mental health and that it needs to be discussed.

After all, according to the US Secret Service, psychological treatment and anti-bullying policies can prevent teenagers from committing these crimes.

It’s worth checking out other songs by this band. Foster The People has released many well-written songs with deep lyrics. You like this song, right? That’s why it’s really worth checking out the band’s other hits – a lot of great music, and some of talks about positive topics as well!

Of course, there are many other songs worth checking out, especially ones that also have controversial lyrics. One that everyone knows is Lynyrd Skynyrd’s biggest hit. Read our analysis of the Sweet Home Alabama lyrics and their meaning to learn what the controversy was about there.

Another controversial one we tackled are the Black Betty lyrics meaning. In this case, it is not the lyrics themselves that generated controversy, but the band that was singing them.