The True Meaning Behind PUMPED UP KICKS

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Discover the true meaning behind Foster the People's hit song "Pumped Up Kicks" and the dark inspiration behind its catchy tropical tune. Despite its questionable subject matter, the track became a breakthrough hit and sparked conversation about youth culture and mental illness. Learn about the song's creation and why it's worth taking the time to truly listen.

Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
1:01 The making of Pumped Up Kicks
3:46 A hit that works on so many levels
4:50 Murder in pop music
5:36 Why we keep listening
6:13 Foster's thoughts
6:44 Conclusion

#Middle8 #FosterThePeople #PumpedUpKicks #VideoEssay
The Darker Meaning Behind Foster the People's 'Pumped Up Kicks'
Why 'Pumped Up Kicks' Became a Breakthrough Hit
The True Story Behind Foster the People's 'Pumped Up Kicks'

[ZHENRY-hlhw]

“He’s a cowboy kid” could also reference his cigarette because marlboros were known as “cowboy killers”

[nosyDetective]

"I'm not surprised you didn't notice"
Literally the entire Internet: uses Pumped Up Kicks as the symbol of school shooting

[ZEKESPILLEDINKMUSIC]

I've never seen this song as "happy, " because I couldn't ignore the lyrics.

[deborahsmith]

When you are happy, you enjoy the music
When you are sad, you understand the lyrics
When you are angry, you make the lyrics reality

[TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

When the quiet kid calls shotgun but there's no car in sight.

[shukrina]

THEY PLAYED THIS SONG AT MY SCHOOL WINTER DANCE AND MY HEART ALMOST EXPLODED BECAUSE I LOWKEY THOUGHT THEY WERE FINNA KILL US

[petey]

Pumped up kicks: a song about anti bullying and depression
Schools: I'm gonna pretend I didn't see that

[L-O-C-]

Last year there was a shooter at my school and someone died. It’s been very hard to deal with. As much as I love this song it hurts to listen too. Everyday I think about it and I hope that nobody ever has to go through anything like me or other kids ever. This is a real problem in the world and I just don’t think people are making a big enough deal about the consequences of guns. Anyways that’s my venting for today! Have a good night everyone

[adamka-]

What’s so difficult to understand?
“Roberts’ got a quick hand.”
It’s clearly about early puberty.

[qweasdqwe]

I feel like this is the one song that doesn’t need explaining

[housememe]

Middle 8: the meaning behind pumped up kicks
Me: *nervous laughter*

[phantomwarrior]

Probably one of the most well made and the most important younger sounds ever made. Made an entire 2010s generation including myself. Extreme good vibes and very smart lyrics, certainly an instantaneous classical.

[mistertwister]

Middle 8: Did you know that Pumped Up—

Literally everyone: Yes, we knew.

[dr.doritos]

I've memorized the first 3 seconds of the song in case anyone plays this at school, I know what's going on immediately

[juanda]

"Don't join the Zoom meeting tomorrow"

[xvfanta]

I remember I almost decided to perform this at a school concert lol. Me and my friends were practicing it during music and our teacher came up to us and was like, “you guys do realize that songs about a school shooting, right?” And we should stood there looking at each other realizing the concert was in 3 days, and the only song we knew how to play was this one.


We ended up playing Song 2 by Blur, kinda badly since we had only 3 days to practice it lol.

[hayden_shonk]

Everybody gangster till the quiet kid has a violin case and isn’t in orchestra

[sean..L]

We don't need "infectious" melodies right now

[williamhinson]

"Why we continue to enjoy it even after the grim details?"

Because it's the most American thing.

[layaman]

Schools : does online classes now

Robert : Sad Noises