Radiohead - "Optimisitic"

[Walking Contradiction]

I guess you could say this was the "unofficial" single from Kid A. IIRC, this actually managed to go top 20 on Alternative even though it wasn't an official release.

It's really too bad this wasn't a single. I know Radiohead aren't a singles band and were trying to make a statement by not releasing from that album, and I also heard Thom Yorke wasn't too happy that radio stations chose to play this song. But nevertheless I think this could've been their biggest hit post-Creep if it was officially released.

Anyway, I think this is a beautiful song and one of their best.

[irock]

Yeah, it's one of their best, but Radiohead's got a lot of "bests". Great song, great album, great band.

[Love Plastic Love]

I could say something that will probably anger you (offend you?)
The first time I ever heard this song was at a Hanson concert-they covered it. I thought they did good so I eventually heard Radiohead. Its a great song.

[Walking Contradiction]

Actually I think it's really cool that Hanson covered this. Just further proof that there is more to Hanson than "MMMbop".

[jaxxalude]

And I'm going to say one thing that will probably annoy some others: I see that as a "call for credibility" on Hanson's part. Puddle Of Mudd also covered Led Zeppelin's "Thank You" live and no one started to take them more seriously because of that.

As for Radiohead, they are one of the few genuinely important bands mainstream rock music gave in the last ten years. And believe me: there aren't many rock bands that hit the mainstream in this time period that have really made some kind of musical impact.

[Love Plastic Love]

jaxxalude said:

And I'm going to say one thing that will probably annoy some others: I see that as a "call for credibility" on Hanson's part. Puddle Of Mudd also covered Led Zeppelin's "Thank You" live and no one started to take them more seriously because of that.
.

See thats what I knew people would say   The fact that Hanson have been playing and writing their entire lives (literally) and have been greatly influenced by credible rock artists including covering successfully many of these classics at very young ages means nothing lol.

Anyways, desperate stab for credibility or just a talented band covering a song they like by a band they enjoy...either way at least I was exposed and may check out other music now. I have just never really listened to Radiohead before.

[stevie nice]

I'd kinda like to hear Hanson do a cover of "Idioteque." Did that get any radio play? My favorite from Kid A.

Radiohead is a cool band. OK Computer is one of my all time best albums.

[halo19]

To me, all The Bends, OK Computer, and Kid A are classics.

This song is pretty good, I'd rank it in the better half of the album (and see above). It actually was the most successful as far as peaks go of post-"Creep" singles. It's the only other one than that song to peak in the top 10, in fact (although it seems odd that "Karma Police" did not).

"Idioteque" is pretty cool as well, I know that radio stations like WOXY were playing that one a lot when it was out.

"The National Anthem" owns the album, I think.

My rankings of Kid A songs:
1. The National Anthem
2. Idioteque
3. Everything in Its Right Place
4. In Limbo
5. Optimistic
6. How To Dissapear Completely
7. Morning Bell
8. Kid A
9. Motion Picture Soundtrack
10. Treefingers

[friday]

mikibacsi1124 said:

It's really too bad this wasn't a single.  I know Radiohead aren't a singles band and were trying to make a statement by not releasing from that album, and I also heard Thom Yorke wasn't too happy that radio stations chose to play this song.  But nevertheless I think this could've been their biggest hit post-Creep if it was officially released.

What difference would it make anyway? As you said, it's a great song, and it did well on the charts (I think it peaked at #10). Who cares if it didn't peak higher, or that it wasn't their biggest hit? Why can't the fact that it got the exposure it did be enough?

[SyrupBoy]

mikibacsi1124 said:

I guess you could say this was the "unofficial" single from Kid A. IIRC, this actually managed to go top 20 on Alternative even though it wasn't an official release.

It's really too bad this wasn't a single. I know Radiohead aren't a singles band and were trying to make a statement by not releasing from that album, and I also heard Thom Yorke wasn't too happy that radio stations chose to play this song. But nevertheless I think this could've been their biggest hit post-Creep if it was officially released.

Umm...not sure where you heard this stuff, because Optimistic was a single. It just wasn't released commercially in the UK like singles usually are. In fact, the band issued a double A-side followup single to radio as well (Idioteque/How To Disappear), with most stations choosing to play Idioteque. I believe 'National Anthem' was the first radio track in the UK.

Optimistic was Radiohead's first modern rock top 10 since Creep, which does seem kind of strange. Karma Police and Fake Plastic Trees have had much better longevity.

It's also my least favorite track on the album. But it fits where it is, I guess.

[stevie nice]

SyrupBoy said:

It's also my least favorite track on the album.  But it fits where it is, I guess.

Yeah IMHO, that's pretty much the case with Kid A and OK Computer, 2 albums that you just have to play thru without picking out separate tracks. It used to be like that a lot in the 70s at least from a conceptual thing side. Of course, I'm not including albums that are chock full of hit singles.

[blue in moonlight]

One of my favorites from Kid A...probably right behind "Idioteque." The entire album was pretty dark aside from this track.

[oscillations.]

This, The National Anthem, Idioteque, and Everything In Its Right Place are not only some of the highlights from that album and of Radiohead's career...they are some of the best songs EVER.

[CammyCan]

Love this, brilliant song. Never knew it went top 20 on alt radio.

[Live Your Life]

Excellent song.