Pumped Up Kicks

Pumped Up Kicks Worksheet

1.)    Read the Lyrics

a.       Who is the speaker (singer)?  Who is the subject?

b.      What story is being told by this song?  Underline lyrics and explain the general plot in the margins. 

c.       What do you expect the music video to be like based on the lyrics (even if you have seen it, try not to think about it at this point).

d.      Lyrics aside, how does the music make you feel (happy, sad, energized, etc.)?

e.      Do you like this song?  (yes/no and why)

2.)    Watch the music video

a.       What is the video about?

b.      In your opinion, do the lyrics and the video fit together?  Why or why not?

c.       Was there anything that surprised you about the video?

3.)    What’s the deal?  Does doing the analysis tell you anything about the band, yourself, popular culture, the role of music in society, what it means to be a modern musician, perceptions of school shootings and shooters?  Tell me about it.

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, he found a six shooter gun.
In his dad's closet hidden with a box of fun things, and 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'll be coming home late, yeah he's coming home late.
And he's bringing me his dark 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.

[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.

[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.