The True Meaning Behind PUMPED UP KICKS

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Discover the true meaning behind Foster the People's hit song "Pumped Up Kicks" and the dark inspiration behind its catchy tropical tune. Despite its questionable subject matter, the track became a breakthrough hit and sparked conversation about youth culture and mental illness. Learn about the song's creation and why it's worth taking the time to truly listen.
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
1:01 The making of Pumped Up Kicks
3:46 A hit that works on so many levels
4:50 Murder in pop music
5:36 Why we keep listening
6:13 Foster's thoughts
6:44 Conclusion
#Middle8 #FosterThePeople #PumpedUpKicks #VideoEssay
The Darker Meaning Behind Foster the People's 'Pumped Up Kicks'
Why 'Pumped Up Kicks' Became a Breakthrough Hit
The True Story Behind Foster the People's 'Pumped Up Kicks'

[@Middle8]

If you're a big fan of Foster the People, or just love music in general, I highly recommend becoming a Middle 8 Member. You'll have exclusive access to VIP Video Previews, an exclusive Discord Club, Digital Vinyl Badges and so much more! Join now at czcams.com/users/Middle8join.

[@collinbrancato7695]

ok

[@gaper13-fh5cf]

Ok

[@NotTwilightSparkle]

Okai

[@jared-2]

you could've done this 3 months ago

[@catnotad0g]

he did

[@adamka-1]

What’s so difficult to understand?
“Roberts’ got a quick hand.”
It’s clearly about early puberty.

[@ryxn8760]

🤣😂

[@pudauncle1712]

Oh shi-

[@MenchieExtrakt]

Better run so his load don’t shoot onto the other kids

[@Kris.krisis]

HmMm

[@MetaReplication]

LMAO

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

When the quiet kid calls shotgun but there's no car in sight.

[@anggikharisma6388]

Why do i always see u everywhere?

[@_zet_zet_]

CZcams pays this guy to comment on most of the videos in this platform

[@anggikharisma6388]

@Uncle czcams.com/video/HQoRXhS7vlU/video.html

[@koimeme]

And he pulls out a mosberg out of his ass

[@connordervoncyberlifegesen8529]

Just Some Guy without a Mustache NANI?

[@xvfanta]

I remember I almost decided to perform this at a school concert lol. Me and my friends were practicing it during music and our teacher came up to us and was like, “you guys do realize that songs about a school shooting, right?” And we should stood there looking at each other realizing the concert was in 3 days, and the only song we knew how to play was this one.
We ended up playing Song 2 by Blur, kinda badly since we had only 3 days to practice it lol.

[@charlescalvin4657]

I mean, if the teacher told me this, I would be like "Heyo What the egg?!?"

[@DarlexGardenWarden]

I mean the song was made as awareness but most people didn't get it

[@Apate-]

shoulda done it anyway

[@RaqiGames]

It would be funny if you added a gun sound effect on a speaker while you were playing pumped up kicks

[@redshieldgah1172]

The song is good, it mean stop bullying protect all people in school by all student and teacher

[@phantomwarrior8686]

Probably one of the most well made and the most important younger sounds ever made. Made an entire 2010s generation including myself. Extreme good vibes and very smart lyrics, certainly an instantaneous classical.

[@goldentop6948]

what i dont get, is why ppl in america immediately associate the lyrics with school shootings. its not, whatsoever. its about a singular kid, whos dad loves guns and therefore prob quite aggressive. which means, the kid, who is the singer too right?, so the kid is a mentally unstable one, and this kind of threatening with shooting is his norm. this is his default, to threaten others he doesnt like, not with words, not with fight, but with guns. also, there is no violence actually carried out according to the lyrics, only threatens. its way more like, a bad parental situation and aggressive father model, which leads this kid to be a total introvert, and he is singing this song in his head, as a fantasy, to himself, as to what he should or would do some day. this is also based on the very much reverbed whistling, reverbed and echoed singing effects put on the vocals, let alone the parts of those run run run like at the beginning. its all echoed, which reminds you of it being sang in a cave, which is a metaphor for your own head, which is the cave. which means, all of this, is in this kids head. which means, no act is carried out.

[@phantomwarrior8686]

@@goldentop6948 bro what hell you're talking about
Even the producers already admitted this song is all about a school shooter

[@larryn4219]

read the article on songfacts. the band and the writer describes the song as a psychtic guys internal monologue, and has nothing to do with school shters, but a mssed up minded teenager who has a father who loves guns.

[@goldentop6948]

@@phantomwarrior8686 nice shadowbanning all my comments guy.

[@goldentop6948]

@@phantomwarrior8686 read the article on songfacts, the writers said themselves it has nothing to do with schl shters, just a mentally dstrbed guy whos father has guns, and this is his internal monologue.

[@nosyDetective]

"I'm not surprised you didn't notice"
Literally the entire Internet: uses Pumped Up Kicks as the symbol of school shooting

[@thesuccessfulone]

This Is America replaced it

[@yespapa8102]

Columbine moments lmao

[@erika002]

@Khaki Shorts *fuck, the blue bois are here* - D-Boi 2020

[@miscellaneousbox848]

Especially during ww3 memes

[@nemanjamarkovic2444]

true XD

[@shuk0rina444]

THEY PLAYED THIS SONG AT MY SCHOOL WINTER DANCE AND MY HEART ALMOST EXPLODED BECAUSE I LOWKEY THOUGHT THEY WERE FINNA KILL US

[@raaston9761]

sounds like something i would do if i was a teacher

[@bukowskifamily7728]

Holy shiit

[@kakashihatake633]

Other Situation, we had a disco at school and 2 days earlier everybody could writedown some Songs that would be Played.
First thing i wrote "Foster The People ~ Pumped up kicks"
Disco Starts, pumped up kicks plays an hour later, teacher came rushed in in Panic that someones about to start a school shooting xD

[@ultravioletishere]

Alpha playz yes

[@sonicgaymer4577]

Oh god I would though

[@L-O-C-0]

Last year there was a shooter at my school and someone died. It’s been very hard to deal with. As much as I love this song it hurts to listen too. Everyday I think about it and I hope that nobody ever has to go through anything like me or other kids ever. This is a real problem in the world and I just don’t think people are making a big enough deal about the consequences of guns. Anyways that’s my venting for today! Have a good night everyone

[@sarahwashington00]

Hey ! I am so sorry it happened at your school this is tragic idk you but I hope you feel okay and you have people to talk to

[@SouthParkAnimatez]

lmao

[@earlpipe9713]

One of the biggest factors contributing towards such incidents continuing in perpetuity, imo, is the manner of media coverage they receive, in which said media rewards the perpetrators of these tragedies, not only with the instant infamy and power incentives the perpetrators learned could be achieved through prior media coverages, but also with the publicizing of any political manifestos perpetrators may have.

[@cadendaboigaming6511]

@@SouthParkAnimatez ok... WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU

[@deborahsmith1918]

When you are happy,you enjoy the music
When you are sad,you understand the lyrics
When you are angry,you make the lyrics reality

[@IICHARLESII]

I would hope it would fill you with condolence that you aren’t the only one that has felt that way, but because you aren’t so pathetic you fall to your lesser demons and understand being that monster solves nothing and makes you far worse than whatever or whoever put you in that headspace. No matter how bad a spot your in you can find happiness and success on your terms and and that is far greater revenge than destroying not only the ones that cause pain but doing worse to everyone who ever cared. Short story, it’s ok to feel like a loser sometimes, that doesn’t mean you need to make yourself a bonafide one.

[@ZHENRY-hl5hw]

“He’s a cowboy kid” could also reference his cigarette because marlboros were known as “cowboy killers”

[@joodlenoodle1766]

@@foxtrot680 most Coloradans are not ranchers lmao. Especially not around Denver and its suburbs, the most cowboy thing I've seen in Denver is the National Western Stock Show that comes around once a year. The cowboy thing is likely just a reference to westerns or cigs like OP said.

[@atthecore4560]

Futuristic persona makes classical analysis XD

[@skriblez9001]

techno.logic and the cigarette is his mind. “He reasons with his cigarette” means that he was not sure if he should pull the trigger. His mind was his major weakness for his plan and what would be the death of him.

[@MBS22]

his cigarette is rolled, i just think its about imagery... cig smoking, gun toting, outsider cowboy kid

[@joshdeese432]

Also because he uses a six-shooter gun

[@alexzamudio9239]

This song sounds a whole lot more disturbing with out the instrumental

[@preposteroussvideos]

Ikr

[@deltalotl]

gatekeeper no

[@emiliano1477]

i want to like this comment but i dont wanna ruin the 420 likes

[@KESTRAL23]

gatekeeper hell no its ass crack

[@rayjardiolin5035]

gatekeeper booo

[@whispy_on_paws]

I survived a school shooting, so this is my jam, what… great… memories

[@JKLmusicVevo]

Same

[@RobloxFilmsAndAnimations]

TELL US THE STORY

[@Realsigmamal6]

womp womp

[@JawshuaWorsham]

​@Realsigmamal6 it is serious

[@ElizaMcIntyreHarrison]

​@@JawshuaWorsham ignore them they're just some cringe kid

[@apileofsticks9581]

the vocals are so crisp they give me chills down my spine

[@qweasdqwe2409]

I feel like this is the one song that doesn’t need explaining

[@ivandelaguardia1]

qweasdqwe like, the only only song that doesn’t need explaining

[@yungctrlfreak]

^

[@presidentfool1325]

OUTRUN MY GUN

[@Meechell]

BETTER RUN BETTER RUN OUT RUN MY GUN

[@Carmn07]

Also the song “ransom”

[@juanda8728]

"Don't join the Zoom meeting tomorrow"

[@originalusername6224]

LMAO

[@vabbspat6659]

Lol

[@zethylene]

Thanks but... *wait*

[@akt3037]

*why not?*

[@Tekkwin]

he brought his dads Glock.png

[@williamhinson2863]

"Why we continue to enjoy it even after the grim details?"
Because it's the most American thing.

[@CMStrawbridge]

An we Americans can't get enough dark content with a bubbly facade

[@IICHARLESII]

Absolutely not. You think it’s better to not acknowledge anyone can feel this way at some point, but you don’t act on every impulse? By getting it out there that people can have crazy thoughts or rage and understanding we can rise above them, sometimes easily, sometimes we have to reach out, and remove some of the stigmatizing elements we can hopefully lessen these atrocities. Knee jerk reactions like calls to ban weapons are pointless in the end. You have to address the root of the problem, which is the individual by listening and helping.

[@derpybacon6197]

This song was actually made because one of the members in the band had a sister who survived a school shooting.

[@fbi-thatrobloxian761]

Derpy Bacon oh the awkwardness of when he went back home with his sister.
Band member:” yeah i just made a song with my friends”
Sister:” nice what’s it about?”
Band member:” a story about a kid named Robert and him shooting rich kids for revenge”
Sister:”...”

[@cubriffic172]

Yeah, I believe it was the Columbine shooting

[@cubriffic172]

@LTrain 45 I looked it up and it wasn't why the song was written (the song was written bc the lead singer forced himself to write one), but it did serve as inspiration for it.

[@mackr1940]

It was his cousin actually

[@tylord.]

yee cubbie finks cousin

[@lowkeymatt]

True meaning: BOY HE BOUT TO DO IT

[@tedarcher9120]

GO GETEM BOY

[@eduardsusai559]

OH LAWD HE COMIN'

[@khalidahalyah]

SOMEBODY CALL DA AMBALANCE

[@solutionghostsimple6470]

Yup

[@Xinlytical]

( *gun sounds* )

[@kenttheboss1880]

Never knew it was this dark. I thought it was just a joyful track about kids being playful.

[@drewo.127]

3:45
I absolutely LOVE how you explained the elements of this song and all the eras they are pulling from/their purpose!
I’m trying to build my very first original song (as someone who’s only just recently decided to finally start trying my hand at the medium itself) and I’m trying to mix and match different eras to make some kind of…bubblegum pop 60s/70s/80s hybrid rock? All I know is I want something to sound like I took this song, and Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’ and merge them all with the Beatles and Beach Boys, all under a bubblegum pop vibe! It’s my very first time seriously trying my mind at music and music theory, so I’m intentionally not worrying about “perfection” or whatever, and focus on just having fun playing with sounds! So far, I have the drum beat, the baseline, and a couple of spaced out semi emotional synths, all done in the wee hours of the morning! I better go to bed, but I think I might have something here!
Again, thanks for this video!💖

[@Jeff-ti8gj]

*"how can a happy tone music have such dark lyrics?"*
Japanese Songs: *Sweating*

[@13jae85]

me! me! me!: 👁👄👁

[@futuretone]

HAPPPPY song: **nervous sweating**

[@0830fish]

everybody gangster until the new kikuo song gets subtitles

[@pheonix_soldier]

Rolling girl, watashi no r, hated by life itself, lost ones weeping, SENBONZAKURA

[@KentuckyFriedFlint]

Mememe, many vocaloid songs, and song weird jpops: ehhhh... eheheh...

[@housememe9210]

Middle 8: the meaning behind pumped up kicks
Me: *nervous laughter*

[@tedarcher9120]

*read the lyrics*

[@Spherey]

Me: laughs in animation memes

[@chronicandironic8701]

Hah... hah... uhhhh they found me out

[@MrAnthonyIII]

@@tedarcher9120 Or just listen to the song, it's not like it's hidden

[@dhuill8900]

Edgy

[@c.c.schaeffer8678]

As a 90s teen I will never forget Columbine. Although that was far from the first or unfortunately last school shooting, it was one that resonated with me. These were kids just like me and my friends. We loved metal and Black and AAAAAHHHHHHH!!! if you down you know what I mean. Either way, for me this created a mistrust in those around me. I thought, well hell, if their friends didnt know how would we? What if it IS Me who has this festering? IT was intense. To the parents of today, treat yourselves and your children well. Treat those you come into contact with with Love and Compassion. For I still believe we will Life in a World of Peace. Our lessons are clearly documented for us, the future is OURS!

[@Vpentrov]

I can’t imagine being a person with the sane interests after Columbine. Must’ve felt like being a Muslim after 9/11.

[@chrisgomez1840]

i dont blame u
de problem wit school is dat they often teach us to stand up for ourselves against bullying but once u do u get in trouble

[@jenniferdegrote3298]

I was a junior in Highschool. We had alot of kids who wore long black coats. Students would look at them with fear after Columbine. Sad time

[@DrBeauHightower]

Guns n roses I used to love her

[@TLord1]

Bro got 5 likes lmao

[@qman1787]

10 likes and 1 reply for an 1.64 mil subscribers? Jeez

[@mistertwister2000]

Middle 8: Did you know that Pumped Up-
Literally everyone: Yes, we knew.

[@ssently7512]

MisterTwister lol true

[@Drug.Lullaby]

Is that Xam on your profile pic?

[@loganjohnson8010]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
That's funny

[@dum5247]

It’s too true

[@guadalupeacevedo8988]

Ikr

[@matthewharbinson6496]

I don't think anyone thinks this song is about sneakers...

[@sadsworth4605]

It is though

[@jessicabraud3307]

When this song first came out when I was 5, my mom told me and my sister that it was about shoes. 10 years later, I know she was just lying to me lol

[@magellancloud]

At the time it came out my English was very basic, so yeah I did think it was about sneakers :D

[@quantumflare]

I didn’t even know Pumped Up Kicks was a sneaker until now

[@thepeoplesrepublicofdisney5058]

It’s about shooting sneakers in the back yard what ya talking aboooout

[@mysticalrandomness4282]

It’s the perfect example of “When your happy you enjoy the music. When your sad you understand the lyrics”

[@GetMeOutOfMyMisery]

I'm feeling kinda dad rn

[@mysticalrandomness4282]

@@GetMeOutOfMyMisery same tho

[@GetMeOutOfMyMisery]

@@mysticalrandomness4282 lol

[@lornamurdocheaton624]

You're

[@m4rt_]

I love the video and the editing... just awesome how much effort you put into this. Keep doing this, you are awesome.

[@petey5009]

Pumped up kicks: a song about anti bullying and depression
Schools: I'm gonna pretend I didn't see that

[@danimationd8886]

@Gee Tar about justice of the poor one that always bullied by some shitty rich man or senator's son

[@thebegbie3931]

DansGamers 01 and then shoots and try’s to kill numerous other kids

[@gabby_5820]

Did you summon me

[@sluggish._]

They used to play this song in my school during gym while I was in 3rd grade

[@therealktm5615]

My school played this song I’m dead

[@sean..L]

We don't need "infectious" melodies right now

[@mr.mister873]

Sean L yes we do

[@crooked7592]

agreed. we need healing melodies maybe?

[@defnotaiden846]

that one account more like medical melodies

[@finnthewastebin1503]

Sean L LOL

[@atthecore4560]

It's the trend of minimalist hipsters.

[@misterHuetube]

Man I’d be really jazzed about a discography deep dive of Foster the People. You’ve introduced me to some killer music over the years and the background is whipped cream on my musical sundaes. Keep it up, you’ve got a long time fan

[@c.s.s.5326]

Helena Beat is another one:
“I tie my hands up to a chair so I don’t fall that way,” anyone who’s ever had a loved one dealing with heroin addiction knows exactly what that chorus is saying.

[@MoltoRubato88]

I've never seen this song as "happy," because I couldn't ignore the lyrics.

[@DDChorror]

Also it doesn't sound happy at all

[@mustymax5878]

Rinky Dink honestly it’s pretty sad

[@MoltoRubato88]

@@DDChorror Exactly!

[@Yasmin-qo2jd]

I used to see this song as a happy song. It released when I was in high school. It was the song that everybody just sing ad dance to. I guess I wasn't aware about the meaning of the lyrics because maybe I was young and stupid but I think it was also because school shooting is not a problem in the country I grew up in. idk.

[@LukeLikesToDraw]

I never heard the song’s instrumental as “happy” either. I thought it sounded (if this is the word I’m looking for) weird and creepy. I also thought the chorus said “faster than my brother” when I was 7 and first heard the song. Lol

[@hayden_shonk536]

Everybody gangster till the quiet kid has a violin case and isn’t in orchestra

[@memeghost6850]

😂😂

[@Conn78987]

😳

[@westernsky667]

Orchestra*

[@kristelveske1637]

😂🤣😂 crying rn

[@SgtChocoKev]

WesternSky667 Why you so bootyhurt?

[@rachaelmolene]

With everything happening right now, and this video popping up on my recommended. I can't say if CZcams's timing is pretty impeccable... or just plain inhumane.

[@IICHARLESII]

Ignoring the problem is the problem.

[@jamborei]

I remember I found this song in 2019, and being really confused on how this song was so popular with my classmates since I recognized the story behind the lyrics. It unsettled me, but I fell in love with the song for how well it approached the topic and emotions. I would listen to it while I was alone and freaking out about how easy it is in America for this to happen.

[@IICHARLESII]

It isn’t just in America. It’s a culture problem. All through history in America kids and teens had access to firearms, much more so than today. We had parking lots full of trucks with guns on racks at highschools. Bulling was more common place, fights broke out on the regular. Disarming law abiding citizens will not solve it, mass murders do not follow gun laws. Even is you could magically make all guns disappear, there are plenty of other means of committing atrocities just as easily and effectively. Not to mention you leave everyone helpless to the better fighter or larger group. If politicians and schools really wanted to make everywhere safer, we would start teaching coping skills, allowing for and fostering communication and teaching proper intervention that doesn’t discourage individuals from coming forward yet does recognize when a threat is truly imminent, hopefully influenced never to reach that point.

[@ThatOneMaskedGamer]

No wonder everyone wanted to suddenly be my friend after I accidentally played this at school

[@squidwurdiered1445]

Pain

[@NumeroUNOGibbers]

It took me a while to understand this comment

[@Nalon.1242]

"Accidentally"

[@memememen8313]

Underrated

[@Cx-vb2pz]

@The champs of Gaming update...?

[@layaman142]

Schools : does online classes now
Robert : Sad Noises

[@thesushiwolf3348]

Lol

[@moth8569]

*puts on vr headset* you cant run now

[@saayum]

*sprays the laptop screen*

[@skm3559]

*BREAKING: SCHOOL SHOOTING RATES DROP TO 100%*

[@nameslesss]

Virus link

[@stinkydoober]

my pe teacher played this and didn’t know 💀

[@pooperpants800]

This is some of the best editing I've ever seen

[@BakedPotatoYT1]

Everyone a gansta until a magnet starts attracting to the quiet kid's bag.

[@trilliosflammas2753]

O damn

[@user-pn7yf1iz5k]

😳

[@smoothyreal2205]

Most guns are not magnetic

[@Prawnz]

Peyton Manning #PM18#GOAT#18HUNNIT #SHERRIF woooosh

[@Prawnz]

Peyton Manning #PM18#GOAT#18HUNNIT #SHERRIF woooooooooooosh

[@spacekii]

Your editing is so underrated

[@RyanStaben]

Retro Lad *your

[@theherst]

He reminds me of daftpina

[@spacekii]

@@RyanStaben Damn autocorrect haha

[@cxssetteman182]

Deadass

[@KESTRAL23]

Retro Lad hello sexy

[@lorenzorasmussen]

these videos are amazing, thank you for taking the time to make them!

[@Jahh_money]

This video made me fall in love with this channel wether it be the amazing editing or the in depth analysis and explanation this video is just really well done

[@kianafsah]

Teacher: „What is 5+7?“
Quiet Kid: ”10”
Teacher: “No it’s 12”
Quiet Kid: “9...8...7...”

[@DrakoGo2DaMoon]

What happens at 0

[@Enphoso]

TotaldramaEzekiel Fan I don’t know but there’s only one way to find out

[@maltheri9833]

@@DrakoGo2DaMoon He nuts

[@magnumbeefus]

@@maltheri9833 subversive

[@Mcha_1]

Copied.

[@jjoshu_a]

When you see comments about the quiet kid and you realize you are the quiet kid

[@gh0stio7]

Me lmao, I have sociopathic thoughts but I never actually committed them 😂

[@lunalagamer55]

@@gh0stio7 Same, im the forgotten one, and i actually desire to burn my school..

[@gh0stio7]

@@lunalagamer55 same

[@aruangasenpai8724]

@@gh0stio7 shoot man I get thoughts that are extremely disturbing about hurting people our human mind is a mystery

[@wesammoh3682]

I’m quiet in my school no one else is

[@anxietysplayground6020]

I’ve always been the type of person to really listen to songs not just to the beat but the lyrics. I was young when this song came out like 6 or 7 and I remember the first time I heard it. It was on the radio and me and my sister were in the back seat, she had obviously heard it before because she was singing along. But I was just sitting there listening and slowly realizing how truly dark this song is.

[@w.a.f.f.l.e.]

Great video. It was very engaging, interesting to watch, and you showed great editing and video production skill. The video was easy to understand, while still working some humor into it. This guy deserves at least 1M subs.

[@fbi5700]

Teacher: “What comes before 47?”
Quiet Kid: “AK”

[@omegadragons321]

oh ok-
*_hol’up_*

[@NunoIDN]

yes

[@Mcha_1]

0_o

[@kinevasive1992]

Ok FBI

[@inot8652]

Runnn

[@ilikescatsalot]

"How can a happy song have such a dark meaning??"
Twenty One Pilots : *sweating intensifies*

[@DestielSnot]

Every song off of every album lol

[@eman5065]

@@DestielSnot like two songs are happy lol.
But its like 7 to 8 years ago

[@Goopyweevil]

Elton John "i think im gonna kill myself"

[@ShineyFace1337]

"Ring around the rosie" has enter the chat

[@Ozan_Dread]

I never expected someone to talk about twenty one Pilots and get so many likes i like this comment

[@tomsullivan8435]

December 5, 2007, Robert Hawkins shot and killed eight people and wounded four others at a shopping mall in Omaha, NE. The lyrics don't mention anything about a school shooting. Robert was 19, was bullied in high school, and took out his 'revenge' at an affluent department store, then killed himself. Mark Foster came up with the chorus first, then needed to write the back story through the verses. The song wasn't written about Robert specifically, even though it appears that way with the first line "Robert's got a quick hand." He could have used Johnny or Billy, but he didn't, he used Robert because it was a current, real-life story, which made it more personal and relatable. The music is happy go crazy, the lyrics are dark, but if you have ever been around someone who has snapped, that is exactly how they behave right before they end everything.

[@Smarod]

I only found your channel today but the quality of your videos is top notch. I'm definitely a fan now

[@bigoof8855]

Student: *sneezes*
Deaf kid: bless you
Student: Thank yo-
*pumped up kicks starts playing*

[@woodoospirit6346]

Maybe he saw it but it would be rather strange or creepy
cause how would he learn to speak if he's deaf

[@PeteyParka]

@@woodoospirit6346 If he wasn't born deaf then he would (hopefully) know how to speak, unless he was like 3 when he stopped hearing

[@woodoospirit6346]

@@PeteyParka you're right

[@gofunky8263]

He’s just magic

[@leigharandall9469]

Or he has been pretending to be deaf and just been waiting for the right time to strike

[@Silly_Moth]

" *when god makes the beat and satan makes the lyrics* "

[@alreemabdullah8585]

This is the best explanation for this song I have ever seen.😂🤣 I love it.

[@zahmclain1811]

Stolen

[@Silly_Moth]

@@zahmclain1811 that’s why I putted it in “ “

[@aidenstammler4618]

The Dynamic duo strikes again

[@Gender-queery]

I mean those are some of the best songs

[@VersusArdua]

An undeniable teenage angst classic. I don't think there's anything else in the popular conscienceness to this day that has that sort of bite to it that we feel here.

[@TheCatstronaut]

bro that was perfectly timed...
right when i heard the gunshot (0:59) i got an ad

[@dr.doritos9875]

I've memorized the first 3 seconds of the song in case anyone plays this at school, I know what's going on immediately

[@acandybar283]

very smart

[@MrMilky-ek1wb]

*TIME TO BOOK IT*

[@mihailsazdov4280]

Is this some American joke I'm too European to understand?

[@tecsrpi]

Shrek Joestar • 55 years ago gun violence

[@NoobOfShame]

@@mihailsazdov4280 im American and it doesn't seem like a joke, atleast a good one. But either way he's referencing the association with this song and the all too numerous school shootings in the US

[@cadehdmi3138]

They played this at a school dance once and everyone, every age, every race was dancing.

[@NarratorLP]

Because it’s a great song :D

[@sunnybaudelaire9384]

My art teacher played it once and I seemed to be the only one concerned.

[@maxresdefault_]

Absolutely no surprises there. It’s an easy song to sing and dance to.

[@urmom-tl1tm]

Jesus Christ-

[@crackerass8379]

I heard it at my school so i ran

[@ParadigmShifted]

I must admit.
You delivered this entire video with great info, references, etc…what I am most impressed with is you managed to get this out without mentioning Jeremy by Pearl Jam.
Not once. I was just sitting and waiting and it never came. That’s usually the first one anyone goes with; especially when it comes to songs about shootings, or redrum from the view of a teen red-rumer or someone within the same sphere of reality as said teen.
Kudos :) excellent video

[@mikahenke5415]

These Videos are so high quality im speachless

[@lostglaceon9274]

Wait, did you just say that this song came out in 2011?
*oh my god*

[@mr.mister873]

Helena best is good but I like pick u up the most

[@ramanabdullen]

it actually came out in 2010

[@ShadowTheDeathhog]

Yup, I listened to this album so much in high school. It has this essence to it where if I made a collage to represent my high school memories, this song would definitely be on it along with Adventure Time, Scott Pilgrim vs the World, and memes that aged horribly

[@lostglaceon9274]

@@ShadowTheDeathhog The one thing I ever remember from that game is the soundtrack because Anamanaguchi is just *y e s.*

[@foglias]

Joz Me too. Just in my case it will be sophomore year at college!!
One of my friends and the members of a student group used pumped up kicks for an ad inside the school. That was awkward to listen. Hehe

[@Gaby-wl4dh]

Teacher: what would you do if I got shot
Quiet kid: reload

[@brrrr443]

Underrated but i got you to 19 likes

[@mommyjhie5173]

this comment should have many likes

[@Maverick-kq4io]

why would a teacher get shot in the first place?

[@jernest3269]

*breathing intensifies*

[@kmirrahgrant1412]

🙏🏾this one is by far the best one

[@XDproductionsXD]

Impressive video. I knew about the message but you really break it down. Well done on all facets of creation too. Wishing you the best~

[@travis.n]

I remember they played this song at a school dance once.

[@mr.dinosuar7333]

"what's the true meaning of pumped up kicks"
The entire internet:
*Wouldn't you like to know weather boy*

[@emperor2344]

Lol i know that

[@jordan4]

Whats weather boy is it a song?

[@Abyxxmal]

i was gonna like but i don't wanna ruin 420 likes

[@musicmixesmore3049]

“where are your parents”

[@justdont7522]

Mr. Green shut up redditor

[@joetazuna3809]

*When you have a Robert in your class and he’s the quiet kid*

[@YBRebel]

Faster than my bullet

[@natekor]

Better run better run

[@draconictraveler3999]

Outrun my gun

[@tehkb2957]

All the other kids

[@val3688]

with the pumped up kicks

[@baguette4231]

your editing is top tier🔥

[@levitheguymyguy6955]

1:42 you can’t tell me you didn’t hear the bass beat during that time 😳🤯

[@TheMelonbros123]

The real problem with this song is that you really like it, but it feels wrong to listen to it.

[@FatDaddyJiggyMcFly]

Doesn’t feel wrong at all.... my soul felt this

[@bhtn1592]

Really tho XD

[@weaselwolf8425]

Doesn't feel wrong to me lol

[@sofiainiguez3921]

I still would listen the song ether way

[@exqlxitzplayz9154]

Nah

[@trenton7156]

DJ: Hey guys this was requested by the Kid in the back.

[@dead_meam_fighter6453]

How does this only get 26 likes ? Hahahahaha

[@vaselinenoodles869]

@@dead_meam_fighter6453 50

[@noone-si4ok]

@@vaselinenoodles869 I've heard your name before hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[@vaselinenoodles869]

@@noone-si4ok yes yes you have😉

[@vaselinenoodles869]

@@noone-si4ok you know if you know

[@Rqinn710]

They played this song at school once at a dance in not kidding.

[@sygb.550]

This vid is visually so pleasing and well done! Like plz teach me how

[@dreadpiraterobert4648]

Teacher: spell art.
Student: A-R. . .
Quite kid: 15

[@ilikememes446]

Found this comment while the like is at 15 lol

[@timrankhan8265]

Yes I made the likes 69

[@shuvittt]

I personally would do that

[@Sepia_formal]

Yes, that kid is quite 15.

[@maty1594]

Quiet*

[@cultofeyes7260]

I actually had plans to burn down my school when I was young because of being bullied, the only reason I didnt was a girl I knew was nice to me that morning and I realized what a terrible idea it was. If you see someone getting beaten up stop it if you can. (Edit:Damn so many people here are good people faith in humanity ++ and thanks)

[@yuya0064]

F- FBI???

[@dumpsterrat2910]

I never imagined myself harming my fellow students but I was bullied for playing soccer better than some popular kid. He had his cronies bully me for 2 years. Then my current friends helped me out and I found peace.

[@lxuliy]

Simp

[@cultofeyes7260]

@@naizamabao4681 yeah definitely

[@cultofeyes7260]

@@yuya0064 we do some shady shit

[@siregne4343]

the first minute of this video hits hard, remembering shootings in the university of my city back in October

[@sephuris5555]

Ironically I was a guitar player all through school and was also in music appreciation so listening and understanding lyrics became almost normal anyway my class want to use pumped up kick as our graduation song and I had to explain why that was a horrible idea

[@pillowman3740]

TLDR: if you have a kid in school named Robert you know what happens

[@Shamburuse]

there was a kid in my school named Robert 🤔🤔

[@pillowman3740]

hentie you know what happens

[@powerchimp]

No. This song is about a kid named Robert who hit puberty.

[@cloudy_st0rm312]

PowerChimp I mean- he has a quick hand...

[@MeltingMellons]

**Electro Luv** faster than his bullet

[@mariod4346]

Middle 8: the true meaning behind Pumped up Kicks
Everyone: oh we know

[@denvertikky4088]

69 likes

[@phospenguillite8895]

the music video shows it all

[@gabrielmarks7870]

@@phospenguillite8895 the school shooting was a fan video

[@haroldthetalkingtree7509]

I was gonna say. I'm pretty sure the songs meaning is known quite well.

[@phospenguillite8895]

@@gabrielmarks7870 oh right forgot

[@flufox_is_a_loser]

Fun fact where I live my school is beside a trailer park and two guys tried to rob another dude in one of said trailers so in the middle of recess the robber and his buddy were in their car park in the middle of the parking lot behind (for reference the school separated the grade but where they sent the off to play wad just the parking lot 6th in front of the school 7 beside to the left and my grade during the time 8th behind it) they jump out and one of them has the great idea of hey lets shoot the ground beside a school to scare the robbed dude so like most would expect everyone ran one of my friends a little two late because me and another friend just sprinted at the first shot and he was confused if we were having a race so we went inside and went to our home rooms my dumb friend decided to put on music through if phone and the first thing was pumped up kicks. In the end no one was harmed because the robbers weren't really shooting up the place but everyone thought they were .TLDR friend's spotifiy plays pumped up kicks during a shooting lock down.

[@hanaloua]

well put. hilarious final sentiment to boot. great dissection & explanation! quality job :)

[@bloodyhands6125]

"In his dads closet with the other fun things"
Robert got one kinky dad huh

[@vdvdvfvrvr4694]

LMAOOOO

[@maxolotl33]

Roberts dad: *nervous sweating*

[@briwu]

Roberts Mum: **confused af**

[@axthyyy]

@@briwu Robert : see dad i told you mom would come back.

[@dmurphy1578]

Guys gonna have a real civil court problem.

[@jamsya493]

Plot twist: the “gun” is actually a nerf blaster

[@dr.insecto7846]

_Gay_Tuna right but the six shooters are 2 two shooters

[@Awfulfeature]

And the two shooters are actually 12 gauge in a double barrel shotgun

[@lorenceroque3009]

Oh how I wish

[@imyellowteeth4691]

and all the students are pranking the teachers by shooting them with nerf blasters

[@midgetman2350]

nah the gun shoots pumped up kicks

[@tinywewolf2960]

I’ve always known what the song was conveying, always even when I was younger that first time I heard the song I knew what it was meaning and saying. It still continues to be one of my favorite songs, mainly because of the lyrics and meaning (the song melody just helps too)

[@FlintBits]

The EQ coming out of the gun was fantastic. Great video.

[@onewholovesvenison5335]

Boomer: “This song is horrible! It promotes violence!”
Also Boomer: 🎶I shot the Sheriff🎶

[@mythrillmeyhem8998]

One Who Loves Venison 🎶but I did not shoot the deputy 🎶

[@hibabes6728]

Really

[@nichii1603]

Can’t disrespect Bob Marley.

[@angel-nv7jk]

LMAO

[@CharlieFoxtrot]

But he did it in self-defense

[@idk-vo5eu]

pumped up kicks: exists
everyone: *dancing triangle*

[@enm294]

Some Random Drawing it’s Portuguese or either spanish or any Latin languages.

[@Dan-hn2uc]

all de other kids with the pump para kids u better rung better rung faster den ma bullet

[@dalek9554]

Wednesday

[@meowkat318]

Probably Bill Cipher's favorite song

[@giselle1312]

YES THAT WAS LITERALY ME

[@gauravjoshi9990]

This channel deserves more subscribers.....fantastic 👏 job.. its creators are awesome 👌

[@KennSimons]

I have heard other explanations of this song, and this one has to be the best. The song is intriguing to me on many levels. The first time I heard it (back in 2017), the beat caught my attention. Then I listened to the lyrics, and tried to make sense of them. This helped.

[@dazamic2292]

Same

[@mememan1423]

I don’t get all these school shooting jokes, they must be *aimed at a younger audience*

[@sloth5352]

The pun

[@finnyboi4964]

Ffs

[@vonkaiser6817]

Oh sheet

[@livelaughlovedesigns103]

E

[@zethylene]

Nice

[@futuretone]

Robert: *Heavy*
His friend: *The Sniper*

[@romeomojica8694]

*team fortress theme starts playing*

[@kevans1237]

*Snipings a good job mate*

[@BucketIHead]

Wouldn't it be medic?

[@PoP-ri7sr]

@@BucketIHead medic is not necessary for the moment

[@Remiel-Sayo]

@@kevans1237 *its challengin work*

[@venusandathena]

Love the break down and the insights to a great song and artist. My dream is to produce a song with him.

[@Koolkole27]

Do more true meaning behind songs! This is the best well done type video I’ve watched.

[@duckngga3668]

Everybody gangsta till a kid named Robert blasts this at school
Edit: holy fucking shit I didn't expect this to blow up in 4 days

[@skyhunter6123]

There's somebody named Robert in my class, should I be worried?

[@tarpulin8179]

@@skyhunter6123 well unless he is the quiet kid

[@vc9491]

@@skyhunter6123 sup robert how ya doin? hehhe

[@lucjuszmocarny8906]

Dafuq is your name

[@raspberry93]

bro the quiet kid in my school is named robert 😳
he always covers his mouther with his hood

[@JacobMeza-pro-footballer]

3:02 “That many teens can relate to,” sorry, what now

[@bricenweber2533]

Me a fellow teen also wants to shoot many children.

[@morrisagillyard]

Hehe omg

[@lovelylyrics3231]

Me being the quiet kid in class

[@ohalfacoke5329]

@@lovelylyrics3231 I’m the quiet kid And I like Guns And I’m Mexican So they thing I’m a freaking drug dealer

[@fiver2543]

Lmao right

[@jadenippersiel912]

I remember they played this all the time at my summer camp

[@sssniperwolffan2745]

This is one of those nostalgic songs that just hit your heart for some reason.

[@gardiner_bryant]

What really shook me was how this song is nearly 10 years old. I was 23 when this song came out. I'm now almost 32. What the actual frick?
Foster The People are one of my favorite bands with some of the most poignant and transformative lyrics of our times. Great video as always!

[@DEFxRECON]

Hey grandpa, the 90s were 30 years ago. Embrace the futility of time.

[@transamination]

It's terrifying, right? Think about this, 10 years before this song came out, you were 13. 13 to 23 felt like forever, 23 to 32 not so much.

[@PhilVillagerOffical]

Frick

[@blinkblik6924]

i cant believe its still being talked about 😆

[@spaceinbetween6591]

transamination I was in middle school when PUK came out and i remember high top shoes really were "in" back then, but they werent Reeboks like the video says, they were Osiris which you could only get from a Journeys. looking back, those shoes were ugly as shit. Also im 21 and im just now starting to experience that warped time perception you’re talking about. I remember every single birthday felt like a goddamn milestone when i was little, but now its just like "oh shit, its been another year already?"

[@berniedankers4081]

When you really think about the intention Mark Foster had behind this song, it starts to be so unreal how an epidemic such as school shootings being so relevant during that time is still relevant today. In other words,
this song is still alive and in today’s time. Mark Foster really doesn’t get the credit he deserves for this timeless piece

[@wisdomkasozi6089]

The sad thing is it is timeless

[@689productions7]

r.i.p. Mark Foster

[@cheddarcheese4159]

White Boyz wait he died?

[@shikarics]

@@cheddarcheese4159 lmao no. He's alive

[@swoli_]

Yee bwudehh

[@cdev2000]

amazing editing!

[@kkevinypastor]

Nice, another vid well done ❤