Q: "Pumped Up Kicks" sounds like a laidback pop song. How many people do you think realize it's about a homicidal school kid?

A: I think there's an irony in it, undercutting something that is so breezy on first listen with something that is so serious. If I wrote those lyrics over a dark ballad it would just be depressing.

Q: It only took me about 15 listens to actually hear the words.

A: I love it when that happens. It's happened to me so many songs. I remember when I heard Jeff Buckley's "Grace," on first listen I just thought it was such a great song. But then lyrics started popping out at...