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Radiohead – Optimistic (5:14)

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About This Track

“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.
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Albums featuring this track

  • Kid A
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  • Album Box Set
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  • Kid A (Collector's Edition)
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  • 2001-08-01: Hutchinson Field, Chicago, IL, USA
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See all 13 albums

Shouts

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  • Bboy_tony

    my favorite Radiohead song, it sounds so hopeless yet so badass at the same time

    17 days ago

  • thecrazygoji

    kickass jazz outro too :D

    29 days ago

  • thecrazygoji

    fav. song

    29 days ago

  • Lajon_

    It's at 4:21 the best part starts. [3]

    last month

  • Ennish

    I could see this song as an OK Computer-era B-side.

    last month

  • Footshac

    today i woke up with this song in my head, like from nowhere, love it

    last month

  • TheShwagShop

    Awesome Track

    last month

  • Sanity_Theorist

    Big fish eat the little ones...

    last month

  • DavidBG16

    maybe best radiohead song

    March 2012

  • Lone__Wolf

    love this song ....

    February 2012

  • SequenceC

    Love love love <3

    February 2012

  • BlqxD

    it has such a good 90s vibe in it

    February 2012

  • naccsa

    It's at 4:21 the best part starts. [2]

    January 2012

  • chadderack

    The spooky "ooo ooo ooo" outro (4:30) is goose pimpling-ly awesome. Totally makes the song.

    January 2012

  • niccotc

    "If you try the best you can If you try the best you can The best you can is good enough" Ah! love it

    January 2012

  • bernlin2000

    Story of my life at the moment, the lyrics are perfect :-)

    December 2011

  • caitforst

    i die when he says "fodder for the animals" just kills me. so perfect.

    December 2011

  • SerTapsaHenrick

    One of the best at least

    December 2011

  • maddestmoose

    best radiohead song

    December 2011

  • dixiegrass

    Take a new head, guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    December 2011
See all 379 shouts

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