Ellen had Foster the People come by to perform their platinum hit, "Pumped Up Kicks," from their album, "Torches."
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Ellen had Foster the People come by to perform their platinum hit, "Pumped Up Kicks," from their album, "Torches."
Next Story: Mr. Swindle
Dear Ellen,
I am a big fan of foster the people and i heard they were on your show. Im 14 yrs old. Im also a big fan of you! i really want to see foster the people.I would love to meet you and foster the people! i ask you because you are always giving and so kind to everyone. I know you might not read this but its worth a shot.I know alot of people ask you for stuff like this to. i hope you read this. -sarai
people should really investigate what the band was trying to do- tell a story from the perspective of a bullied schoolkid yes, they did say gun and bullet big deal theyre trying to give their take on something that shouldn't be ignored. i adore the band so much and people should stop being so judgy.
It's quite funny how a lot of the parents/mothers who are commenting on this, make it seem like this song is telling kids to go out and shoot others. Technically, Im still a teenager/kid and do I get that message? Uh no. I adore Foster the People and love the whole album. If any of you would actually look up these lyrics and listen to then entire song and maybe the entire album, youd know its not about promoting violence- It's actually promoting awareness to the situation, I think. One of the comments above said that youre kids are probably the ones doing the bullying- I agree. I was bullied some in high school, and even some in college, but did a song make me want to go out and shoot others? Absolutely not. Please get over your selves. Ellen is awesome and isn't stupid- if this song was promoting the wrong thing, she wouldnt have them ON THE SHOW.
I can't believe people are actually complaining about this. You need to listen to the ENTIRE song before commenting. This song does not promote shooting. It tells the story of a boy who is lonely, neglected and mentally unbalanced. The song does not tell people to go out and shoot others. I love this song and I'm glad Ellen had Foster the People on her show.
I don't know if this song is being ironic, promoting school shootings, or just a comment on our society. Regardless, I wish Ellen would have spoken to the group about the meaning of the lyrics. I realize music and video games don't cause violence by themselves. That the person doing the violence has many other problems. I have never promoted banning music, but this song is such an insult to the victims and families of school and work place shootings. I really can forsee another school shooting with some poor bullied child playing this song on his headphones as an anthem. I too wish Ellen had not promoted this song on her show. (At least without discussing the controversy surrounding it.)
Whilst I understand what people are saying that it is a song about shooting and bullying, at the end of the day it is a piece of art that schocks us and makes us think about the world we live in. and in all honesty, that is one of the best kinds of art.
there are plenty of songs out there about drinking, passing out, having sex and being rebellious and they don't even tell a story but instead promote such behaviour and expose it to younger audiences. I don't think this song intends to promote school shootings but rather sing a song, tell a story and make a point!
Georgina, 18, Australia
As a mother and teacher, I am very saddened that Ellen chose to support this band and this very disturbing song... I must say that when I first heard this song, I loved it! I thought that it was a light-hearted, uplifting song. Then, while taking my daughter and some friends home one evening, the song came on the radio and they told me what the words were. They said that they had been turning the radio when it comes on, I decided that I would start doing the same! This song really bothered them.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks likely refers to normal children who fit in and are not alienated like the disturbed child who is saying "you better run from my gun, run from my bullets" in the song. Pumped up kicks likely refers to having enviable possessions like nice clothing, cars, good looks, more money, higher status, and better more glamorous lives according to the singers viewpoint.
So sad that Ellen supported Foster the People and their performance of this song that clearly talks about a young shooter stalking kids and telling them to run faster than his bullet....just disgusting.
Ellen, as a voice of such positivity, I'm shocked and saddened that you would use your show to promote such a group that clearly doesn't support your anti-violence and anti-bullying stance.
Please listen to the lyrics and think again before supporting this band. I cannot listen to this song without getting sick to my stomach. The fact that they are singing about such an awful tragedy and singing and whistling so upbeat and cavalierly....makes me ill.
I can assure you, while being on campus during the tragedy at Virginia Tech....there is NOTHING funny about someone coming after a group of kids with a gun.
Ellen, please think before you support this band again.
Thanks,
A fan and a HOKIE
Geez! Even my nine-year-old understands the irony of this song. The horrific phenomenon of school shootings has to be addressed, not swept under the carpet. Great song! Art with a social conscience. Kudos, Foster the People and Ellen.
Ellen: Poor choice of acts to have on your show. This song is clearly about a boy named Robert that find a gun in his father's closet and sits around forming a plan to shoot other children. Maybe you should listen to the lyrics before you decide which artists perform on the show. Very disaapointed.
Pretty shocked that this song was aired on your show and particulary your smiling reaction to it
I am no expert and no judge on what should be on or not on, I can turn it off but I am curious as to what you were thinking
So Ellen have you really studied the words to this song and if so would you care to enlighten us on what it means to you?
You're being ridiculous! This song is not promoting kids to have guns! It's a story. It's dumb to bring up that this is promoting bullying also. The kid in the song is being bullied, so tell me how it's saying "hey, kids! pick up a gun and go bully someone!" This thing happens all the time now, which is why he wrote the song. To be shocked or disappointed at Ellen is even more ridiculous. You parents should go look at your kids Ipods, I'm sure there is some awful things on there, with profanity. I love this song! He doesn't cuss, talk about drugs, drinking, partying, sex, no of that crap which is what most songs are today! This song has a story and a point! Kids do this kind of thing because they are bullied, abused, not loved! Having a kid listen to a song won't make them do that!
Get over yourselves with Ellen putting them on her show. You are the people or parents that have kids that are probably DOING the bullying or in trouble and you can't handle it. It's a freaking song. GET OVER IT!!!!
i can not believe that Foster the people sang that song on the Ellen show! I was soo shocked! How can you let that band play that song on your show? Does that mean that you are promoting kids having guns? So disapointed!!
Shocked is all I can say!!! Ellen, what were you thinking? Did you forget to listen to the lyrics? I am saddened that you stood there with a smile on your face while Foster the People sang about shooting KIDS!!!
I was amazed and disappointed that Ellen allowed this song on her show. At first I wondered if she had any idea what they were talking about, but she seemed to be quite familiar with the group and that particular song. Ellen, you could have at least talked with the band about why they sing about violence and bullying and perhaps use it as a platform for your beliefs. Very, very disappointed in you and your staff.
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Great job Ellen bringing Foster the People to your show! All of the people that complained that this song is not appropriate should research this band and why Mark Foster wrote this song. In several interviews, he explains how he wrote it to bring attention to youth violence. Another one of the band members has a cousin that was actually in the library at Columbine and survived. The band also has a project called the Do Good Bus, they get volunteers from cities that they are performing in and do a community project for the day. They are an amazing group and anyone that is so quick to criticize should do their homework first! Thanks again Ellen for helping to promote a worthy group... you are awesome!
Posted by Ann | January 17, 2012 11:00 AM