Foster The People 'Pumped Up Kicks' - music video analysis

Music video analysis  - Foster The People ‘Pumped Up Kicks’

Foster The People’s ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ music video is mainly a performance music video, and arguably a concept music video – the fun they have together as a band during their work and outside of work.

I think it is a very effective music video as it suits the genre of music that the song is. The song is very upbeat and cheerful and fun! And the music video mirrors this.

The video conforms to a few of Goodwin’s Seven. One of which is how the visuals match the music; editing and camera work and the band’s on-screen actions are often if not always in time with music. However, this video does not fit in with Goodwin’s theory that the visuals match the lyrics, as there is definitely no relationship between the visuals and the lyrics in this video. An example of the visuals matching the music would be when there is a close-up shot of a foot tapping along in time with the music.

This music video also conforms to Goodwin’s theory that the demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close-ups of the artist.

I really like some of the special effects in this music video; particularly at the start where there is a pink tint and grainy film effect over a long shot of someone jumping off a cliff into the sea. This shot creates a dream-like effect and shows the adventurous and fun-filled life the band lives and makes the audience envy them and possibly idolise them and wish for a life like there’s.