The song is about a troubled youth with homicidal thoughts and his obsession with expensive shoes. It was written and recorded by Mark Foster in 2010, and became a hit in 2011, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100. · The song is about a troubled youth who imagines shooting other kids with pumped up kicks, a popular basketball shoe in the 80s and 90s. The song was inspired by Foster's research on teenage mental illness and gun violence, but he now considers retiring it due to its painful impact. · According to writer and Foster the People frontman Mark Foster, the song is about a fictional high schooler, Robert ("Robert's got a quick hand"). The "kicks" in the song refer to expensive shoes worn by popular kids at Robert's school. · Underneath its upbeat sound, “Pumped Up Kicks” is a chilling story about loneliness and anger turning into violence. It’s not meant to shock for the sake of it, but to point out how neglect and envy can lead someone to do terrible things. · “Pumped-upkicks” refers to Reebok’s Pump sneakers, a popular 1990s status symbol. The message is clear: Robert feels overlooked, maybe bullied, and this fantasy is how he fights back against the social gap. The “pumped up kicks” in the song symbolize a status symbol or a façade of affluence among the youth. They represent the materialistic aspects that can lead to envy and social division, a factor that may play into the protagonist’s sense of isolation and resentment. Pumped Up Kicks is a song by Foster the People about a kid who plots revenge against his bullies. The song's title refers to the Reebok Pump basketball shoes worn by the outcasts, and the chorus is a metaphor for confidence. “PumpedUpKicks” has been hailed as the song — or at least a song — of the summer, although it first hit the charts in spring and is peaking now, in fall. It is a perky pop ditty with just enough low-fi murkiness to make it hip. Discover videos related to PumpedUpKicksMeaning of Song on TikTok. Last updated . "Kicks" are slang for shoes since you kick with your feet and also wear shoes on your feet. "Pumpedup" means high priced, high quality, and expensive. The term could also be referring to the wearer's ego being "pumpedup." Mark Foster explained the song's meaning to Spinner UK: "'PumpedUpKicks' is about a kid that basically is losing his mind and is plotting revenge. He's an outcast. I feel like the youth in our culture are becoming more and more isolated. The meaning of "PumpedUpKicks" by Foster The People is a chilling exploration of the troubled mind of a teenager on the brink of violence. Through its infectious melody and disturbing lyrics, the song delves into themes of isolation, resentment... Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & Tik Tok: @moremiddle8 Unlock a new world of music as a Middle 8 member! Exclusive access to VIP Video Previews and Disc...
