Friday Sessions #23: ‘You’d better run’ – ‘Pumped Up Kicks’, Foster The People

Friday Sessions - Test Your English With The Power Of Music. Some songs are great to listen to without even worrying about the lyrics, and 'Pumped Up Kicks' by Foster The People has to be one of those tracks. Even though, having a few .....

Some songs are great to listen to without even worrying about the lyrics, and ‘Pumped Up Kicks‘ by Foster The People has to be one of those tracks. Even though, having a few keys to understanding the meaning, even just a little, can add a new dimension.

Let’s figure out one of the main lyrics: ‘All the other kids with the pumped up kicks. You’d better run…..’

Pumped up – a phrasal verb which can take on different meanings with context, but generally refers to something inflated. (For example, the wheels on your bicycle can be pumped up. )
In another sense, when describing a person it can mean to be ‘filled with excitement or enthusiasm. ‘
Ex. “They are really pumped up about their next race.”

Kicks – is a slang word which dates back to the 19th century referring to trainers, sneakers or running shoes.
Ex. “Hey! Nice kicks.”

You’d better run – You’d is a contraction of You had. When we say someone ‘had better’ do something, it is a strong way to give a warning or direction.
Ex. He’d better run or they’ll catch him. (He had better run or they will catch him.)

The track was written to bring awareness to mental illness, and the issue of gun violence among young people.

Lyrics.

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 found a six shooter gun
In his dad’s closet, oh in a box of fun things
I don’t even know what
But he’s coming for you, yeah he’s coming for you

Daddy works a long day
He be coming home late, and 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

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You’d better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You’d better run, better run, faster than my bullet
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You’d better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You’d better run, better run, faster than my bullet

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You’d better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You’d better run, better run, faster than my bullet
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You’d better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You’d better run, better run, faster than my bullet

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You’d better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You’d better run, better run, faster than my bullet

Foster The People/ Pumped Up Kicks, The Late Late Show