The "pumped up kicks" line in the title and chorus refers to trendy, expensive footwear—shorthand, in the song's ethos, for the accoutrements of the cool set. "All the other kids with the pumped up kicks," Mark Foster merrily chirps, "you better run, better run, outrun my gun.". Robert finishes with an act of patricide. The Meaning Behind The Song: Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People Foster the People's "Pumped Up Kicks" is a catchy, upbeat song that quickly became a popular hit after its release in 2010. Its cheerful melodies and bouncy beats, however, masks the dark and serious themes that permeate through its lyrics. The song, written … The singer has gone back and forth a bit on the aspect of Pumped Up Kicks being about mass shootings in school specifically, though. He explained that school shootings weren't directly referenced in the song and that people have misconstrued it by adding in their own notions . Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People Here's the song When I first heard it, it seemed like a play on current events (school shootings) just to become more popular, but the more I listened to it, the more I understood how deep and disturbing the song really is. The song acts as a reflective lens, highlighting the urgency of addressing adolescent mental health and gun violence. Legacy of Awareness. "Pumped Up Kicks" catalyzes discourse on pressing societal issues, demonstrating music's potent role in social commentary. Ethical Dilemma. "Pumped Up Kicks" has been very, very good to Foster the People, the L.A.-based trio who released it as their first single. From nowhere, they've gone to playing Lollapalooza this summer. When Foster the People' s anti-gun violence anthem, "Pumped Up Kicks," was released in 2010, it quickly went viral. But not everyone immediately noticed the cautionary tale about gun violence "Pumped Up Kicks" does this by creating a chorus melody with a strong hook, and a melody that constantly reiterates the tonic note. Here's a map of the formal design for "Pumped Up Kicks": The song is very catchy, and the simplicity of its form is key. Rock Mark Foster on 'Pumped Up Kicks' Eight Years Later & Why It's Time to Retire the Song "Pumped Up Kicks" was the ultimate breakthrough for Los Angeles-based alt-pop group Foster the I71f.