1,852,467 plays (351,138 listeners)
“Optimistic” is the sixth track on the 2000 album Kid A by the band Radiohead.
No singles were released from Kid A, but promos of several songs from the album, including “Optimistic”, were sent to radio stations. Without an official single specified by the band or label, the guitar-driven “Optimistic” became the default track to be picked up by alternative rock stations in the United States and received more airplay than any other track on Kid A. The song hit number 10 on the Billboard modern rock charts,[1], and one of only three Radiohead songs - the others being “Creep” and “Bodysnatchers” - to peak in the Top 10 of that chart.
“Optimistic” was included on disc one of the 17-track, US version of Radiohead: The Best of, a compilation released by Capitol Records in 2008. The song was not included on the 16-track, UK version released by Parlophone.
“Optimistic” was performed often during an initial tour in 2000 but it did not appear again in Radiohead’s live shows until it was brought back in 2008 to be played twice at a special show for BBC Radio 1 on April 1, and again on May 4, during a VH1 exclusive concert at the Basement, London, featuring a set from their newest album In Rainbows. It has now become a regular part of the setlist on their 2008 tour. The live performance is similar to the one found on the album, featuring guitar, bass, drums, and ondes martenot, an electronic instrument played by guitarist Jonny Greenwood.
The chorus for “Optimistic” was directly inspired by Thom Yorke’s long term partner, Rachel Owen.
No singles were released from Kid A, but promos of several songs from the album, including “Optimistic”, were sent to radio stations. Without an official single specified by the band or label, the guitar-driven “Optimistic” became the default track to be picked up by alternative rock stations in the United States and received more airplay than any other track on Kid A. The song hit number 10 on the Billboard modern rock charts,[1], and one of only three Radiohead songs - the others being “Creep” and “Bodysnatchers” - to peak in the Top 10 of that chart.
“Optimistic” was included on disc one of the 17-track, US version of Radiohead: The Best of, a compilation released by Capitol Records in 2008. The song was not included on the 16-track, UK version released by Parlophone.
“Optimistic” was performed often during an initial tour in 2000 but it did not appear again in Radiohead’s live shows until it was brought back in 2008 to be played twice at a special show for BBC Radio 1 on April 1, and again on May 4, during a VH1 exclusive concert at the Basement, London, featuring a set from their newest album In Rainbows. It has now become a regular part of the setlist on their 2008 tour. The live performance is similar to the one found on the album, featuring guitar, bass, drums, and ondes martenot, an electronic instrument played by guitarist Jonny Greenwood.
The chorus for “Optimistic” was directly inspired by Thom Yorke’s long term partner, Rachel Owen.
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Albums featuring this track
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Kid A
Radiohead Buy- Download Album
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Grammy Nominees 2001
Various Artists Buy- Download Album
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- Amazon $6.00
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The Album, Volume 1 (disc 1)
Various Artists Buy- Download Album
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- Buy Album
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2001-08-01: Hutchinson Field, Chicago, IL, USA
Radiohead Buy- Download Album
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Shouts
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Rendrogy wrote:
sex per-song-ified.
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Erzeal wrote:
One of my favorite RH songs.
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natschos wrote:
over-compressed garbage, as so many sounds of nowadays...
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phenomenigma wrote:
"you can try the best you can the best you can. the best you can is good enough." the music just has so much emotion. gives me chills everytime. {turns up speakers}
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mikecampoviejo wrote:
My favourite from "Kid A", maybe with "Everything in its right place"
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jjarichardson wrote:
Radiohead's greatest song, in my opinion.
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DeadDeserted wrote:
This is one of their very best songs
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toffea wrote:
With "National Anthem" , my favorite on KidA .
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ShaneSpear wrote:
4:22 really is a top ten highlight for Radiohead
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derriskharlan wrote:
i love this so much
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Jaggaemusiq wrote:
so good!
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davidbowiegirl wrote:
Great song <3
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MarionetteDolly wrote:
3rd favorite!
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HeadMuse wrote:
Best on KID A!
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lala_gosling wrote:
love this one ¡
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kush_kumar wrote:
does anyone know the story behind the outro music? it's so random! i love it and all, but i just wanna know what compelled them to add that at the end of optimistic?
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Night_Special wrote:
4:22 til the end is the best.
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Jagbag2 wrote:
you can try the plastic can, you can try the plastic can. the plastic can is good enough.
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YoLoTeng0 wrote:
Bliss in an audio track
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oOMyxomatosisOo wrote:
WOW !!!
Radiohead
Optimistic
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Recent Activity
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Corley_87 added Optimistic to his Loved Tracks. 41 minutes ago
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Hamidsboy added Optimistic to Hamidsboy’s library. 2 hours ago
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Hamidsboy added Optimistic to the playlist Dream in Insomnia!. 2 hours ago
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Hamidsboy, donnie__, Clembot and 2 other people loved Radiohead – Optimistic. 2 hours ago
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universeruler added Optimistic to the playlist Плейлист universeruler. 11 hours ago
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