| Foster the People – Pumped Up Kicks Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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To start off, I absolutely love this song. I heard it today on the radio (I'm not much for music played on the radio, actually, I'm not much for music with lyrics but that's irrelevant). I love how the lyrics are centered around violence but the musical beat is cheery, almost. I agree with most of the interpretations on here though there are some things that I would like to add. First stanza: I think that Robert is the main character of the song. I think that one day he reaches a breaking point. He starts going through his father's personal belongings and comes across his father's 'stash.' I.E. A gun, pornography, possible sexually deviant material, maybe even drugs. Things that Robert doesn't have a true understanding of, hence the statement 'and I don't even know what.' I'm skipping the chorus and moving on to the third stanza. Robert (and I) are one and the same. I'll explain why I think so in a bit. Robert's father works long hours. Robert's dad brings him a 'surprise' of abuse. It wouldn't surprise me if the abuse that he brings home is sexual. The main character may not have a maternal figure in his life, but then again he may. I believe he doesn't because he's taking on a more 'feminine role' by cooking dinner and making sure that his father has a cold beer. Robert's going about his day in a 'normal, sane' fashion so he doesn't appear suspicious. However, he has other plans. He kills his father and takes a smoke afterwards. I think that the line 'and say your hair's on fire, you must have lost your wits, yeah' says a lot. Maybe the kid shot his father but knowing he's dead isn't enough. The abusive may have been so bad that he wanted to 'torture' his father by setting his hair (and essentially the rest of him on fire). Okay, so, Robert and I are one and the same. There's a correlation between abuse and Dissociative Identity Disorder (multiple personality disorder, as it was formerly known). Robert's just a 'normal' kid trying to fit in. Too bad Robert is being abused, neglected, and quite possibly has DID. Just my thoughts on the use of first and third person in this song. Annnnd, finally, the chorus. Abuse often involves neglect. Neglect can come in the form on not giving Robert his needs, or wants. If his father is abusing him to the point where he's uncomfortable asking for things, he may not own the coolest, hippest things. Robert may just want to fit in, and the only way he believes that will happen is if he gets a new pair of 'pumped up kicks.' Too bad his father doesn't believe in making such frivolous purchases. Instead, Robert sits around envying the kids who do own such things. Envy can lead to violence, especially if mental illness is evident. Any comments would be greatly appreciated! :) Daddy works a long day. He be coming home late, yeah he's coming home late. And he's bringing me a surprise. 'Cause dinner's in the kitchen and it's packed in ice. I've waited for a long time. Yeah the slight 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. |
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| Maria Mena – A Few Small Bruises Lyrics | 15 years ago |
| A lot of Maria Mena's song have references to cutting, so I don't think that the cuts, bruises, and scars are emotional metaphors. I think that the girl (or guy) in the story wasn't taught how to handle their emotions (But everything I am is what I was taught to be) and so they deal with them through self-harm. Someone finds her and she attempts to explain herself. I think when she says "And as you read my words out loud make me sound genius make me sound special" that she's being sarcastic, extremely. She realizes she has a problem to an extent. I don't know, just my thoughts. | |
| Ani DiFranco – Two Little Girls Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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DiFranco is definitely bisexual. This song is definitely about niavety. The first two lines clearly state that, "fresh off the boar from Virginia" and "a year of New York City under my belt." The reference to training bras and nursery rhymes also cues you into the niave part. In the girls niavety she turns to drugs. I don't think the girlfriend is an actual person, just an addiction that the girl is treating like a lover. |
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