Pumped The Kicks
Foster the People Lyrics


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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 found a six shooter gun
In his dad's closet, oh in a box of fun things
I don't even know what
But he's coming for you, yeah he's coming for you

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
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

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 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
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
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
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
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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People tell the story of a troubled teenager who has access to a gun and is planning to use it to hurt others. The first verse introduces the character of Robert who seems to have a carefree and rebellious attitude, smoking a cigarette and carrying a gun he found in his father's closet. The chorus describes "all the other kids with the pumped up kicks" who should be afraid and run faster than Robert's bullet. The following verse suggests that the singer's own father is neglectful and unavailable, making the singer feel justified in his violent intentions.


The song is a commentary on gun violence and the dangers of ignoring the signs of troubled youth. The catchy pop melody and upbeat tempo contrast with the dark lyrics, making the song a powerful critique of many facets of American culture, from gun control to toxic masculinity. The lines "you must have lost your wits" and "you'd better run faster than my bullet" are particularly chilling, evoking a sense of fear and paranoia in the listener.


Overall, "Pumped Up Kicks" is a haunting and poignant reminder of how easy it can be for violence to take hold in individuals who feel lost and disconnected from the world around them.


Line by Line Meaning

Robert's got a quick hand
Robert is quick to react


He'll look around the room, he won't tell you his plan
He is secretive and unpredictable


He's got a rolled cigarette, hanging out his mouth he's a cowboy kid
He is trying to embody a cool persona


Yeah found a six shooter gun
He found a revolver


In his dad's closet hidden oh in a box of fun things, I don't even know what
It was hidden in a box with other things, may not be his dad's


But he's coming for you, yeah he's coming for you
He has intentions to hurt someone


Daddy works a long day
Father works long hours


He be coming home late, he's coming home late
Father arrives home late


And he's bringing me a surprise
Father brings a gift


'Cause dinner's in the kitchen and it's packed in ice
Dinner is in the fridge, needs to be reheated


I've waited for a long time
Narrator is anxious, has been waiting for a long time


Yeah the slight of my hand is now a quick pull trigger
Narrator has become quick to react and possibly violent


I reason with my cigarette
Narrator uses smoking to calm themselves down


And say your hair's on fire, you must have lost your wits, yeah
Narrator taunts their victim by saying they are crazy


All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
Referring to other kids who are wearing trendy shoes


You'd better run, better run, out run my gun
Narrator is warning them to run faster than their gun


You'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet
Narrator wants them to run faster than their bullet




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Mark Derek Foster

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@duncanmichie1164

*at a school dance*
DJ: This one was requested by the kid in the back

@hilariouskiyu6105

Stolen...

@benjamingarcia2282

Lmao

@pumpedupkicks6383

Good to see that even the best kind of people like me

@midevilcat8045

You got this from memeanade but I appreciate the thought but pls credit people when you make posts like this but you still get my like.😁😇

@polarjet1833

The kid with the violin case right?

529 More Replies...

@lilil1224

Remember When we all didn’t understand the lyrics

@69arigatoya69

um..

@Komatic5

Same tho

@fdp182

If you first talk spanish like me

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