Songfacts®:

• This song is about the concept of "Freudenfreude," a coined German word meaning taking joy in the happiness of others. Idles frontman Joe Talbot sings about finding strength and happiness by supporting the people around him.
  
  "I saw it on one of those internet feeds, about words that should be invented but haven't been invented yet. It was someone taking schadenfreude, which is quite a negative part of human nature, giving it a positive slant," Talbot told Mojo magazine. "There's so much shouting for its own social media, and that's because the Internet feels like a window into the world, but it's actually a cell door. So freudenfreude is a beautiful notion.
  
  Even the coining of it is a beautiful act, someone going, 'Hold on, what about parenthood? What about seeing your friends do something sick? What about going to see your favorite band, being in a crowd and enjoying everybody else's energy?' That's a cool thing."
• The song was inspired by Talbot's little girl. "Being a parent, you suddenly are entwined with someone else's joys and lows," he told Apple Music. "I love seeing her dance, and have a good time, and grow as a person, and learn, so I wanted to write a song about it."
• The title "Pop Pop Pop" is absent from the lyrics, leaving fans to ponder its meaning. One possibility is that it references a specific beat within the music. Alternatively, it could reflect the almost childlike nature of some lyrics. Perhaps there's no hidden message at all, and "Pop Pop Pop" was simply a placeholder title that the band liked.
• The music video, directed by Steve Baxter, takes viewers on a journey Talbot takes through the snowy landscapes of Iceland.
• "Pop Pop Pop" appears on Idles' fifth studio album, Tangk. It was their first album collaborating with a major producer: Nigel Godrich, known for his work with Radiohead. Godrich joined forces with Idles guitarist/keyboardist Mark Bowen and hip-hop producer Kenny Beats to create the album's sound.