"Optimistic" is a song by the English alternative rock band Radiohead, the sixth track on their 2000 album Kid A.

Release

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.

Track listing

"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.

Chart performance

"Optimistic" received more airplay than any other track on Kid A.

The song peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, and one of only three Radiohead songs - the others being "Creep" and "Bodysnatchers" - to peak in the Top 10 of that chart.

Live performances

"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 airing of the programme From the Basement, featuring a set from their newest album In Rainbows. Since then, the song has become a regular part of the setlist during 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.

Covers

The song has been covered by Hanson on their live album Best of Hanson: Live and Electric.