LYRIC ANALYSIS

The lyrics to "Pumped Up Kicks" are written from the perspective of a troubled and delusional youth with homicidal thoughts. The lines in the chorus warn potential victims to "outrun my gun" and that they "better run, better run, faster than my bullet".

Foster said in a statement to CNN.com, "I wrote 'Pumped Up Kicks' when I began to read about the growing trend in teenage mental illness. I wanted to understand the psychology behind it because it was foreign to me. It was terrifying how mental illness among youth had skyrocketed in the last decade. I was scared to see where the pattern was headed if we didn't start changing the way we were bringing up the next generation."

In writing the song, Foster wanted to "get inside the head of an isolated, psychotic kid" and "bring awareness" to the issue of gun violence amongst youth, which he feels is an epidemic perpetuated by "lack of family, lack of love, and isolation". The song's title refers to shoes that the narrator's peers wear as a status symbol.

Themes:

• Family
• Depression
• Wealth
• Well-being
• Violence
• Youth

"Robert's got a quick hand."
I'm sure Robert is an allusion. Research gives the possibility of Robert Butler Jr. "Robert" is ready to shoot at any point. Cowboy reference (quick draw).

"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."
He's probably cocky, feels powerful. Cowboys are loners who do things to feel mighty. They're also quick to resort to gunfights. The cigarette only emphasizes the idea of being a "badass." Cigarette is also another cowboy reference.

"Yeah he found a six shooter gun.
In his dads closet hidden in a box of fun things, and I don't even know what."
The terminology of "six shooter gun" is typically limited to revolvers, a gun popular in Western movies. They were popular because they were small, easily hidden. Glocks are standard for police-officers, so it's viable that it could be found in a father's closet. "Fun things" in so ambiguous no one could ever get direct meaning from it, but I'd assume he found other police-like items (tazer, perhaps?). Although depending on how you hear it, it could be bondage equipment.

"But he's coming for you, yeah he's coming for you."
It's meditated and he's resolute. There's clearly a lot of though going into this. I've read a lot of cockiness into the statement, too.

"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."
"pumped up kicks" would refer to a trendy shoe. Considering it's an item of clothing that kids wear, I assume they're popular. I can't decide on "other's" meaning–it's either "everyone else with the kicks" is going to get shot, or it's making a distinction: only the kids (the popular, perhaps rich childen) will be fired upon. The repetition of run really emphasizes the insanity of Robert. The terminology is devilishly coy, too. He's trying to cause a panic–there's more to it than just shooting the kids, he wants them to flee.

"Daddy works a long day.
He be coming home late, yeah he's coming home late.
And he's bringing me a surprise."
The phrasing doesn't depict "Daddy" well. We don't know if he is working as we have no evidence, but he's probably abusive. I'd argue the "surprise" is a fist, after "coming home late" from maybe a bar.

"'Cause dinner's in the kitchen and it's packed in ice.
I've waited for a long time."
I have two ideas for the first line. Maybe he'll have to eat an icepack after the beating? Or it's a reference to a boy who killed his parents and packed her into the freezer. Though, regardless of the connotation, anything "packed with ice" doesn't sound like a particularly good dinner. At this point there's also a shift, which bothers me. Broadly, I'd argue that someone's been inspired by "Robert." If I were to write a thesis, I'd say that "Robert's" deliberate spectacle in his shooting (attempting to incite fear) is catching on among other deranged teenagers. Cowboy reference.

"Yeah the slight of my hand is now a quick pull trigger,"
He's ready to shoot in an instant. Another cowboy reference.

"I reason with my cigarette,
And say your hair's on fire, you must have lost your wits, yeah."
He is probably chewing on his cigarette, moving it around while he's deciding whether to go through with it. He retorts to his doubts that the head of the cigarette (the unfiltered part you light) is on fire.