Top 10 Best Foster the People Songs
Foster the People broke into the scene in a way most bands only dream of. One minute, frontman Mark Foster was working as a commercial jingle writer in LA. The next, he had written Pumped Up Kicks, uploaded it online, and unknowingly set off a chain reaction that would catapult his band into international fame. The song was a sleeper hit that practically lived on the radio in 2011, balancing dark subject matter with a laid-back groove that had people humming along before they realized what they were singing.But they didn't stop there. While a lot of folks wrote them off as a one-hit wonder, Foster the People doubled down with Torches and delivered an album packed with synth-heavy, upbeat tracks that blended alt-rock with electronic flourishes. Then came Supermodel, where the band leaned into a more guitar-driven, chaotic sound and pushed back against fame and commercialism with lyrics that were as disillusioned as they were poetic. Sacred Hearts Club took yet another turn. This time, the band leaned into psychedelic funk and hip-hop-inspired beats, showing a clear refusal to sit still stylistically.
Across all these shifts, what keeps people coming back is how the band combines glossy production with often sharp, socially aware lyrics. Their music sounds like summer but reads like a journal entry from someone quietly dissecting the world.
I'm not gonna try to be a hipster and dislike this song because it's popular. It's popular because the laid-back vocals combine with a powerful bass line and clever, strong, and kind of frightening lyrics.
You can tell that it has been created with loving hands, not just whipped up on a computer like all the catchy pop songs. It has a dark, haunting message, but it makes it all the better to listen to. When I listen to it, I get that feeling of a great song.
Great, catchy, but also a very scary song! I mean, have you heard the lyrics? It's about a kid who goes on a killing spree in his school! But it's still catchy.
It is the best, although Pseudologia Fantastica is close. I don't know why everybody keeps Pumped Up Kicks in first place. There are more than ten songs better. Houdini is tremendously glorious, starting slowly until its spectacular finale. It deserves much more recognition, as do songs like Tabloid Super Junkie, Beginner's Guide, SHC, among many others.
Houdini is a unique song that differs from the rest of the album. The whole album uses different styles, but the technique used for this song is astonishing. The build-up to the climax, the multiple instruments that flowed throughout the song, and the vocals easily make this song the best.
My favorite Foster the People song. Catchy music with a good feeling, very interesting lyrically, and overall just a top-notch go-to any time of day song.
The only video made in the past 10 years that I know of (which isn't saying much) that's worth watching. Also far darker and more textured than Pumped Up Kicks.
I think this song is amazing! I just can't stop singing to myself, I tie my hands up to a chair so I don't fall that way, but the music video kinda scares me, to be honest.
The best song off Supermodel and maybe their best ever, second only maybe to Houdini. Sounds incredible when the guitar comes crashing in at the beginning, and the bass riffs in the middle are awesome.
This song truly proves that after the success of "Torches," they can still make fantastic fresh stuff. This is a wonderful song with great melodies and lyrics.
Great song and probably the best music video I have seen. A little repetitive, but it still deserves to be up here.
Catchy song! In my opinion, it's better than Pumped Up Kicks. This should be in the top three!
This should be higher. It's such a great song. I don't even know how Waste made the list.
Should be third, behind Pumped Up Kicks and Houdini!
This is the best song on the new album. It captures the essence of their first two albums. This is now my favorite song by Foster the People. The second one is Helena Beat.
This song is the continuation of Waste on the new album. The chorus and final part make this a powerful song.
My favorite song and the best of the album, in my opinion.
This song is SO amazing! I can't get it out of my head. I've listened to it at least a hundred times this week. I think everyone on the planet should hear this song at least once. I've memorized the words because I've heard it so much. My favorite song right now.
Seriously, in my opinion, their best song. Although one of the longest, it still has a catchy tune and gets stuck in my head all the time. My favorite song of all time.
This is the most amazing song I've come across in a long time. It deserves to be so much higher and might be their best song ever. The lyrics are truly beautiful.
Great intro. I just love how in the middle of the song it becomes a completely different one. The build-up to the chorus is just pure ecstasy, and the last third of the song is absolutely "orgasmic" till the end of it. Feels to me underrated.
This is the best song on "Torches," and I guess that is why it is so mysterious. Fantastic catchy lyrics. Perfect continuation and includes the best metamorphosis that I have ever heard in a song.
The most interesting composition on Torches. You can tell the lyrics are very heartfelt from Mark's voice. It drives you to do amazing things, and the drums shout throughout the song. Highly recommend listening to it.
This is the best song by this group! And how the hell did it end up here? It's much better than Pumped Up Kicks!
Sorry, but in my opinion, this song is, I'd say, three times better than Pumped Up Kicks.
Catchiest Foster the People song, in my opinion. I actually can't get enough of it!
This song is fantastic. I mean, how many songs are there about helping your best friend with a drug addiction? Also, there aren't nearly enough songs off of Supermodel here.
Should be much higher on this list. Supermodel is horribly underrepresented on this list, and this is the best song on that album!
Amazing. Happy and energetic. Who writes a song about having writer's block and can't think when creating a song?
The Newcomers
How is this not number one on the list?! I love most of Foster the People's songs, but Pseudologia Fantastica is by far my favorite. It doesn't necessarily blow the others out of the water, but I think it's still the best one.
Has that great feeling to it. It's just something I can listen to over and over again.
Starts off really awesome and keeps it up. Rock + Skitzo-pop = Great song. Probably the best song on the new album.
Although it may not seem like Foster the People's style, this song tells a story. It's somewhat emotional, but every band needs to write a song like this. The synthesizer is mixed in with the guitar in an interesting way, which adds to the atmosphere of the song. It's beautiful and deserves applause.
I believe that "Houdini" and "Nevermind" are Foster the People's greatest, but even still, "Fire Escape" might be a close third. I seem to picture Mark Foster all alone in a street alley, singing this song to no one in particular. *applause*
It's such a touching song. The beat is amazing and fits the song's subject perfectly. The church bells make the song sound almost melancholy. Seriously, the best thing about the song. Better than everything on Supermodel except maybe Pseudologia Fantastica, and second only to Helena Beat on Torches.
Really great song. It's got a great beat, but so do all their other songs. The beat never fails. What really distinguishes this song is the amazing chorus. Really the best word to describe it is: epic. The church bells, everyone singing, the sweet ambience. It all makes me ecstatic.
This song really shows how multifaceted Foster the People are. They blend genres so well, and this song is an excellent example of that. The lyrics and music go perfectly together, and they blend traditional instrumentals with electronic sounds very well. Love it!
To be honest, this is the best song ever by them. When I first listened to it, I couldn't stop listening to it. I listened to this song continuously for two days. Don't miss this masterpiece.
This is their best song ever! So catchy with an awesome beat. I cannot stop listening to it.
It is absolutely amazing. It has a really fun beat, is pretty catchy, and makes you want to dance to it. One of the best.
This is the best song by Foster the People. It should definitely be in the top one.
Amazing lyrics and beat. Definitely should be recognized.
This right here is one of the most reflective and catchy songs you can find! It's pleasant to listen to, and the lyrics are absolutely fantastic. Impossible not to relate to.
Another great existential question song. It's the beautiful acoustic riff that keeps it going.
This song got me into Foster the People. It's musically interesting, has amazing lyrics that are extremely relevant, and is all around a fantastic song. It deserves to be higher.
This should be number one. Even though it's not one of their most popular songs, it shouldn't be this low on the list.
Seriously, what the heck? This should be number two. This is like the best song ever! Come on, people!
Oh god, where do I start... The message, the beautiful sound that you can simply drown in, the serenade of his voice in the bridge... You will never be whole until you lose control. I personally feel it means just let yourself go and experience the sorrows and joy of the world and let it take you down and bring you up all the same. I love it.
Okay, this is totally one of the most powerful songs ever. It has a great beat, somewhat uplifting, somewhat angry, and a great voice and message. The message is to try new things and lose yourself. It's such a cool song.
S.H.C., (Sacred Hearts Club) has an amazing beat. When it first kicks in at the beginning, it sounds so good. It's my favorite from their new album.
The beat is amazing! Best of this album.
Such a great vibe. Should be higher.
First listen was okay. Now I run to it the whole day.
So catchy. One of their best, in my opinion.
Recently uploaded on YouTube and I have had it on loop for four weeks. Amazing song. Love the new songs even though they don't seem like their style. Even though I feel it's not really made with real love like Houdini, Pumped Up Kicks, or the other songs, it's still a very nice song.
This song is so different and so fresh. It should be way higher. It's nothing short of a masterpiece.
The beat, the main melody, and the lyrics really get this song going. Absolute beauty.
Are you kidding me? This song should be in the top five! What a song. Well done.
Totally underrated. I mean, come on! Does no one like this song?
Solidly my favorite Foster the People song. The beat is so intense!
I love Miss You. It's easy to listen to with the beat, and the lyrics are amazingly full of longing. It's so great when you're thinking of parting with someone.
This should be higher because it's one of their catchiest songs.
This one really brings me back to the old Torches feel. It's got a nice riff, some sick lyrics, and an epic vibe. Awesome.
This one is simply the best on their new album.
Awesome beat, great lyrics. Just the best Foster the People song.
This song makes me so happy! The beat is so uplifting, even though the song is a little cheesy.