<P> `` Pumped Up Kicks '' is a song by American indie pop band Foster the People . It was released as the group 's debut single in September 2010 , and the following year was included on their EP Foster the People and their debut album , Torches . `` Pumped Up Kicks '' became the group 's breakthrough hit and was one of the most popular songs of 2011 . The song was written and recorded by frontman Mark Foster while he was working as a commercial jingle writer . Contrasting with the upbeat musical composition , the lyrics describe the homicidal thoughts of a troubled youth . </P>
what is pumped up kicks the song about
the homicidal thoughts of a troubled youth