Optimistic

About this song

"Optimistic" is the sixth song on its album and received more radio play than most other tracks on it.

What it's about

The song seems to set two reactions to a desolate consumer marketplace against each other: a greedy, exploitative attitude in the first verse and a more hopeful outlook in the second. Its chorus suggests that accepting the limits of what one can actually do can bring a kind of satisfaction, though not necessarily a cheerful one.

Fun facts

• Sampled in 5 other songs, like “Fitta Happier by Quakers (Ft. Guilty Simpson & M.E.D.)”.
• Covered once, including “Optimistic by Vitamin String Quartet”.
• Written by Ed O’Brien, Colin Greenwood, Jonny Greenwood, Thom Yorke and Philip Selway.
• Produced by Radiohead and Nigel Godrich.
• Recorded at Guillaume Tell and Medley.