Pumped up Kicks
The Dark Tale Behind Chamberlin's Pumped Up Kicks
Lyrics
Robert's got a quick hand
Introduction of the character Robert, indicating he has quick reflexes.
He'll look around the room, but won't tell you his plan
Suggests secrecy and hidden intentions in Robert's actions.
He's got a rolled cigarette
Describes a rolled cigarette, a rebellious or carefree symbol.
Hanging out his mouth, he's a cowboy kid
Portrays Robert as a cowboy-like figure with a gun.
Yeah, he found a six shooter gun
Reveals Robert's discovery of a six-shooter gun.
In his dad's closet, and with a box of fun things
Details finding the gun in his dad's closet and mysterious "fun things."
I don't even know what
Unclear content of the "fun things" in Robert's possession.
But he's coming for you, yeah, he's coming for you
Implies a threat or danger as he's "coming for you."
cll the other kids with the pumped up kicks
Repetition emphasizes a warning to others with "pumped up kicks" to run from Robert's threat.
You better run, better run, outrun my gun
-cll the other kids with the pumped up kicks
-You better run, better run faster than my bullet
-cll the other kids with the pumped up kicks
-You better run, better run, outrun my gun
-cll the other kids with the pumped up kicks
-You better run, better run faster than my bullet
-Daddy works a long day
Introduces another character, Daddy, who works long hours.
He be coming home late, yeah, he's coming home late
Highlights Daddy's late returns home.
cnd he's bringing me a surprise
Suggests Daddy brings a surprise home, creating suspense.
'Cause dinner's in the kitchen, and it's packed in ice
Describes dinner in the kitchen, possibly linking to the surprise.
I've waited for a long time
Expresses patience in waiting for something significant.
Yeah, the sleight of my hand is now a quick pull trigger
Shifts focus to the narrator's quick trigger, possibly a metaphor for a violent response.
I reason with my cigarette
Connects reason with a cigarette, possibly reflecting on the narrator's actions.
Then say, "Your hair's on fire, you must have lost your wits, yeah"
Suggests a confrontation, noting someone's hair on fire.
cll the other kids with the pumped up kicks
Repetition reinforces the warning to run from the threat.
You better run, better run, outrun my gun
-cll the other kids with the pumped up kicks
-You better run, better run faster than my bullet
-cll the other kids with the pumped up kicks
-You better run, better run, outrun my gun
-cll the other kids with the pumped up kicks
-You better run, better run faster than my bullet
-Run, run, run, run
Repetitive urging to run, reinforcing the sense of urgency.
R-r-r-run, run, run
-R-r-r-run, run, run
-R-r-r-run, run, run
-Run, run, run
Emphasizes the need to run from the danger.
cll the other kids with the pumped up kicks
Repetition of the warning, maintaining the intensity of the message.
You better run, better run, outrun my gun
-cll the other kids with the pumped up kicks
-You better run, better run faster than my bullet
-cll the other kids with the pumped up kicks
-You better run, better run, outrun my gun
-cll the other kids with the pumped up kicks
-You better run, better run faster than my bullet
-cll the other kids with the pumped up kicks
-You better run, better run, outrun my gun
-cll the other kids with the pumped up kicks
-You better run, better run faster than my bullet
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