The 2010 breakout hit “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People has achieved a monumental milestone, amassing over one billion views on YouTube. This impressive feat comes just two years after the song surpassed a billion streams on Spotify, solidifying its enduring popularity.
The captivating video showcases the original band members – Mark Foster, Mark Pontious, and Jacob Fink – delivering a live performance of the song to an intimate audience. The video also interweaves scenes of the trio recording the track, enjoying casual moments around the city, and surfing in full-body wetsuits on a cloudy day.
“Pumped Up Kicks,” the lead single from the band’s debut album ‘Torches,’ explores the psyche of a troubled youth named Robert. It stands as the band’s most acclaimed track, spending 40 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2011 and peaking at No. 3. The song’s success also garnered Foster the People a Grammy nomination for best pop duo/group performance.
Despite its popularity, “Pumped Up Kicks” has been mired in controversy due to its intense lyrics. MTV chose to censor lines like “outrun my gun” and “run faster than my bullet” in its airplay, and some radio stations banned the song after the tragic 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
In a candid 2021 interview with Billboard for the 10th-anniversary reissue of ‘Torches,’ Mark Foster discussed the song’s connection to such dark events, likening its societal impact to Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son” and its association with the Vietnam War. Foster expressed his initial hesitation to continue performing the song, emphasizing the importance of not spreading pain or reminding people of trauma. He ultimately concluded that the role of artists in addressing societal issues is crucial, stating that avoiding difficult topics could lead to more severe real-life consequences.
Re-experience the powerful and thought-provoking “Pumped Up Kicks” by revisiting the video below
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