Lyrics of
Pumped Up Kicks

Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People narrates from the perspective of a troubled youth named Robert who fantasizes about getting back at his bullies with a gun he found. Composer Mark Foster intended to highlight issues surrounding children’s mental health and gun violence, sparking a conversation on prevention. He was surprised by the songs commercial success given its grim subject matter.

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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, he found a six-shooter gun
In his dad's closet
with a box of fun things
And 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

Daddy works a long day
He be coming home late, yeah, he's coming home late
And he's bringing me a surprise
Because dinner's in the kitchen and it's packed in ice
I've waited for a long time
Yeah, the slight 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