@globalshootings on Instagram: "“Pumped Up Kicks” is a song by Foster the People, released in 2010. Despite its upbeat, catchy, indie-pop sound, the lyrics deal with a dark and serious topic. The song is written from the perspective of a troubled, mentally unstable teenager who fantasizes about violence—specifically, using a gun against other kids (“all the other kids with the pumped up kicks”). Mark Foster, the lead singer and writer, explained that he wanted to raise awareness about youth ment