I think that people are over-reacting to the lyrics of this song. In an interview, Mark Foster explained the meaning of the song. It's not about some random kid who's killing people. It's about "a kid that basically is losing his mind and is plotting revenge. He's an outcast." Yes, I'll admit that this behavior isn't correct. But when I listen to this song, I don't want to go out and kill people who make fun of me - I want to doubly make sure that I am nice to the kids who are made fun of! I think that this song is for a mature 12 or 13 year old and I would have given it five stars for amazing instrumental but its dark lyrics earned it a four.

This song is somewhat like a Gorillaz song. The verse vocals are muffled and hard to hear, but if you listen carefully, you'll realise this song has a subliminal meaning behind it. The lyrics are about a child who shoots people he is jealous of, and smokes at a young age. What makes it worse is that how the lyrics are written makes it seem that they're trying to tell the listener that guns are cool. Do not listen if you are faint-hearted.

Basically, what this song is talking about, is a kid, going to his fathers closet, getting a gun, and shooting all the popular kids at his school. But, Foster The People are just saying, how thats not cool to do that, because things like this actually happen. Also @Totally500 An inspiring song...? Demonic child.

This song is okay, for the most part. It's catchy, upbeat, and even though it conceals a darker message it will go right over little kids' heads. Kids old enough to understand the lyrics probably won't admire them or think of them as some kind of role model. I'm 12, and people consider that young. I also noticed that people here are complaining about the song's "terrible story." Well, 'Pumped up Kicks' is actually about a real mall shooting that happened in Nebraska. Foster the People didn't make this up and they aren't promoting this kind of thing. They are just putting an event into song. If you think you might want to, try and listen to it unless this kind of thing deeply disturbs you.

Yeah, I loved the beat to this song, but I looked at the lyrics, and WOAH! It's about a kid who shoots other kids and smokes at a young age!

Being a Rap Fan I've heard much worse than this!

Ok so it may be about school shootings, but guess what? that stuff happens, they aren't glorifying it in anyway!

I honestly change the station when it comes on when my little sister is around or while i'm babysitting and for myself. It's wrote based on the psychological of a homicidal child , enough said. If your okay with " 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." then i'd say it's a "on" but otherwise " not for kids" or radio..