[Verse 1]
Flies are buzzing 'round my head
Vultures circling the dead
Picking up every last crumb
The big fish eat the little ones
Big fish eat the little ones
Not my problem, give me some
[Chorus]
You can try the best you can
You can try the best you can
The best you can is good enough
You can try the best you can
You can try the best you can
The best you can is good enough
[Verse 2]
This one's optimistic
This one went to market
This one just came out of the swamp
This one drops a payload
Fodder for the animals
Living on an animal farm
[Chorus]
You can try the best you can
You can try the best you can
The best you can is good enough
You can try the best you can
You can try the best you can
The best you can is good enough
Flies are buzzing 'round my head
Vultures circling the dead
Picking up every last crumb
The big fish eat the little ones
Big fish eat the little ones
Not my problem, give me some
[Chorus]
You can try the best you can
You can try the best you can
The best you can is good enough
You can try the best you can
You can try the best you can
The best you can is good enough
[Verse 2]
This one's optimistic
This one went to market
This one just came out of the swamp
This one drops a payload
Fodder for the animals
Living on an animal farm
[Chorus]
You can try the best you can
You can try the best you can
The best you can is good enough
You can try the best you can
You can try the best you can
The best you can is good enough
[Bridge]
I'd really like to help you, man
I'd really like to help you, man
Nervous messed up marionette
Floating 'round on a prison ship
[Chorus]
You can try the best you can
You can try the best you can
The best you can is good enough
You can try the best you can
You can try the best you can
[Outro]
Dinosaurs roaming the earth
Dinosaurs roaming the earth
Dinosaurs roaming the earth
I'd really like to help you, man
I'd really like to help you, man
Nervous messed up marionette
Floating 'round on a prison ship
[Chorus]
You can try the best you can
You can try the best you can
The best you can is good enough
You can try the best you can
You can try the best you can
[Outro]
Dinosaurs roaming the earth
Dinosaurs roaming the earth
Dinosaurs roaming the earth
About
Genius Annotation
“Optimistic,” the sixth song on the album, got more radio play than just about every other track. It seems to feature two potential reactions to the desolation of a consumerist marketplace. The first verse describes a greedy and exploitative attitude, while the “optimistic” second verse mentions how “the system” works.
The chorus, though, contains the wisdom or message of the song, which is that the realization of one’s deontological limits (what one can actually do) CAN lead to a kind of satisfaction, though perhaps not a cheerful one.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 2.Kid A
- 5.Treefingers
- 6.Optimistic
- 7.In Limbo
- 8.Idioteque
- 9.Morning Bell
- 11.Untitled
- 13.Pyramid Song
- 16.I Might Be Wrong
- 17.Knives Out
- 20.Hunting Bears
- 24.Untitled v1
- 27.Follow Me Around
- 29.Untitled v2
- 31.Pyramid Strings
- 32.Alt. Fast Track
- 33.Untitled v3
Credits
Producers
Writers
Mastering Engineer
Distributor
Phonographic Copyright ℗
Copyright ©
Publisher
Mixing Engineer
Vocals
Guitar
Drums
Bass
Recorded At
Guillaume Tell, Paris; Medley, Copenhagen
Released on
October 2, 2000
Songs That Sample Optimistic
Optimistic Covers
Optimistic Live Performances
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