Lyric discussion by ggoboo 

Cover art for Houdini lyrics by Foster the People

Thanks for listing the one's from the album! I assumed those are right, and also listened to a live recording on 91X on youtube, and a live recording in brisbane, along with the album to clarify the other lyrics not listed. He definitely says different things in different performances. I think these lyrics are what he actually says from watching his lips move, and they make more sense as well.

Rise above, gonna start the war! Oh, what you want, what you need, what'd you come here for? Well, an eye for an eye and an 'f' for fight They're taking me down as the prisoners riot

Got shackles on, my words are tied Fear can make you compromise With the lights turned up, it's hard to hide Sometimes I want to disappear

When I feel kinda bad and don't want to stress I just pass it off on ability Well you got what you want, what you never knew It's a perfect gift from me to you

Got shackles on, my words are tied Fear can make you compromise With the lights turned up, it's hard to hide Sometimes I want to disappear

(Raise up to your ability)

You never knew that I could find What could come when we realize Some won't stop with the compromise

(Raise up to your ability) Can't stand when i disappear Runnin around i'm filled with fear I can't do it cause my lifes a wreeeck

(Raise up to your ability) I know that you wanna Throw me into the Sea For my ability

(Raise up to your ability) Yeah i don't want (to) decide it Yeah just want to leave it IIiii just wanna walk(says run sometimes) away

(Raise up to your ability)

You gotta focus on your ability Focus on your ability Now focus on your ability Focus on your ability Then they can't get what they want to steal Can't get what they want to steal

other time on NPR, showing his face almost constantly, is very clear on the lyrics except "yeah i don't to decide it" is still vague to me.

So here's those lyrics clarified in a few places.

Rise above, gonna start the war! Oh, what you want, what you need, what'd you come here for? Well, an eye for an eye and an 'f' for fight They're taking me down as the prisoners riot

Got shackles on, my words are tied Fear can make you compromise With the lights turned up, it's hard to hide Sometimes I want to disappear...

So, I have listened to this song many times, and I think that most of your lyrics are correct, but I actually think that where you have "Yeah I don't want (to) decide it" through "I'll just wanna walk away." I actually think the lines are:

Yeah I'm undecided Yeah I just want to leave here But I don't want to run away.

These lyrics are SO MUCH BETTER than what's posted. The ones up right now are awful and make no sense.