Any of my readers have teenagers?
My son knows I love music so he played me a song.
I instantly took to it. Such an upbeat tempo and fun sound.
My hearing sucks so my son knew by my exuberant reaction
I was most likely not hearing the words clearly.
So he asked, "Do you know what they're saying?"
Me, "um... not really, but it sounds pretty fun!"
Son, "here are the lyrics"
And he showed them to me.
And I was a little disturbed.
I'm not sure how to feel.
The song is so upbeat sounding.
The message so dark.
I'm all for freedom of expression
I'm all for freedom of expression
but the views on this video are like 40 MILLION!!!!
The youth are listening and listening hard.
Do they hear a serious message?
Do they hear fun?
Do they take it as freedom of expression?
or
Do they feel empowered and imagine how good it would feel?
It's just such a bizarre feeling for me as I like the sound,
the feel, the beat,
except...
it's giving all that upbeat entertainment with dark lyrics.
Perhaps that is what it's supposed to do.
Get me thinking, discussing, questioning.
Below is the video and lyrics that have me thinking.
What's your view?
For all you peeps (like me) not up on today's teen lingo,
"pumped up kicks" (according to my son) are expensive tennis shoes worn by the "rich kids".
Then again, we're small town folk so what does he know. ;0)
Pumped Up Kicks (lyrics)
Foster The People
Robert's got a quick hand.
He's looking 'round 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 with a box of fun things, 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'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.
Daddy works a long day.
He's coming home late, yeah, he's coming home late.
And he's bringing me a surprise.
His dinner's in the kitchen and it's packed in ice.
I've waited for a long time.
Yet the slide of my hand is now a quick pulled 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'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.
Run, run, run, run, ru- ru- ru- run, run, run, ru- ru- ru- run, run, run,
ru- ru- ru- run, ru- run, run, run, run. [Whistling]
[Chorus x3:]
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.
