The Pumped Up Kicks meme is centered around the 2010 indie-pop hit by Foster the People, which famously masks a dark narrative about a school shooting behind an infectious, upbeat melody. On the internet, the song became synonymous with the 'quiet kid' trope, where users create scenarios involving someone reaching into a backpack or displaying unsettling behavior while the song plays in the background. Its usage often plays on the jarring contrast between the catchy rhythm and the grim lyrical content. Over the years, it has evolved from simple video edits to a staple of dark humor and ironic internet culture, frequently used to highlight awkward or tense social situations.