Categories: ThecounT

Did You Know ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ Is About A School Shooting?

Seems a lot of radio stations across America are yanking the incredibly popular hit song “Pumped Up Kicks“ from their playlists — because the song is actually about school shooting! File that under: I did not know that…

It is so strange to learn this because I really like this song but I don’t know if I can ever listen to it the same way again… I posted the lyrics below and okay, so now I get it…

“Pumped Up Kicks”

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 hidden 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.

[Chorus: x2]
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you better run, better run, outrun my gun.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you better run, better run, faster than my bullet.

Daddy works a long day.
He’ll be coming home late, he’s coming home late.
And he’s bringing me a surprise.
‘Cause dinner’s in the kitchen and it’s packed in ice.
I’ve waited for a long time.
Yeah the sleight 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.”

[Chorus: x2]
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you better run, better run, outrun my gun.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you better run, better run, faster than my bullet.

[Whistling]

[Chorus: x4]
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you better run, better run, outrun my gun.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you better run, better run, faster than my bullet.