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.
Due to the opening lyrics, "Robert's got a quick
hand," many have speculated that the song is a reference to Robert
Hawkins, perpetrator of Omaha
The band's publicist denied any connection: "This is
completely false. The character name in the song is just a coincidence." For play on the television
channels MTV and MTVu, the words
"gun" and "bullet" were removed from the song's chorus.
Foster believes many have misinterpreted the song's meaning,
and have written letters to his record label and called radio stations to
complain. He explained, "The song is not about condoning violence at all.
It's the complete opposite. The song is an amazing platform to have a
conversation with your kids about something that shouldn't be ignored, to talk about
it in a loving way."
( Source: wikipedia )
