Understanding the meaning behind song "Pumped Up Kicks". The lyrics of the song are about a teenager, his name is Robert. He suffers from certain psychological problems. He is rejected by the society of peers, which constantly gives him a lot of pain. While Pumped Up Kicks references a shooter named Robert, the track is actually hinting heavily to the Columbine Massacre. Although it's never directly confirmed, there are lyrics in the song that directly point to the notorious 1999 high school shooting. Read on to learn more about Foster the People's track, and the deadly shooting it And say your hair's on fire, you must have lost your wits, yeah. All the other kids with the pumped up kicks. You'd better run, better run, outrun my gun. All the other kids with the pumped up kicks. You'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet. All the other kids with the pumped up kicks. Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks (Lyrics) 7clouds. 21.4M subscribers. 7.8M views 11 months ago #pumpedupkicks #7clouds #fosterthepeople. 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. Mark Foster reflects on "Pumped Up Kicks" following the Vegas massacre The song is about a boy who fantasizes about shooting up his school Washington CNN — Musical Composition and Production Musically, "Pumped Up Kicks" features a catchy, alt-pop dance sound, characterized by distinctive bass lines and rhythmic percussion. The production of the track was completed in Los Angeles, with Foster handling much of this aspect himself. The phrase "pumped up kicks", which is the title of the song, refers to a type of expensive sneakers that only the rich could afford. And the other kids whom the troubled kid wants to murder own pairs of these "pumped up kicks", which clearly shows that they are more privileged than he is. Foster the People. "Pumped Up Kicks" was the ultimate breakthrough for Los Angeles-based alt-pop group Foster the People. It was a catchy crossover hit that catered to multiple genre formats A Societal Mirror "Pumped Up Kicks" mirrors a society where the youth, particularly those facing emotional and psychological turmoil, may feel marginalized or overlooked. The imagery of a young individual harboring violent fantasies underscores the urgency of addressing the mental health crisis. iQdKJ8A.