Jillian English Post #2

"Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster The People

"Pumped Up Kicks" is a song by American indie pop band Foster The People . "Pumped Up Kicks" became the group's breakthrough hit and was one of the most popular songs of 2011. This snappy tune that top the charted is actually quite morbid. “Pumped Up Kicks” follows a teen boy Robert who is preparing to shoot his classmates at school. 

The song starts off with a cheery tune that I believe is used to show just how messed up the kid is.

The first verse introduces us to Robert, a depressed teen with a “quick hand”. Robert dreams about violence towards his classmates and creates a plan which won’t fall through. Robert seems to take on this alter ego “cowboy kid”. He fantasizes himself as some impassive badass like the cowboys he sees on TV. His fantasy of being a cowboy is comparably to any other kid wanting to be a superhero. Him shooting is like a game and he finds much enjoyment in this. His weapon will be a six shooter gun which he has found in his father’s closest.  Six  shooter guns are used commonly by Single- Action Shooting enthusiasts in shooting competitions, designed to mimic the gunfights of the Old West, and for general target shooting, hunting and personal defense. In the hook we are introduced to Roberts victims, the “kids with the pumped up kicks” or rather the cool kids at school. He wants revenge and no mercy will be shown so you better run.  In the third verse we get a glimpse of the neglect and abuse Robert faces at home. Life at home seems to trigger his anger and plan for school. Robert’s father irresponsibly has “hidden” his gun in his closest. This is very common for parents to assume the child has no idea where the gun is hiding until a fatal event occurs. “And he's bringing me a surprise” I infer the “surprise” Robert receives every night when his drunk father arrives home is a beating. Neglected and sad, Robert is forced to eat frozen dinner every night. I mean revenge is best served cold, right? The last line is Robert’s last warning to the kids at his school. He tells them to outrun his bullet as if his fellow classmates stand a chance. Can someone really outrun a bullet?

Foster the Pump wrote this song after being troubled by school shootings. This song was written as a way to create ongoing dialogue for an issue that was being talked about, but when it came to government intervention, was largely being ignored.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ