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David Byrne – Optimist (2012) | Track profile | Dork

Tracks
David Byrne
Love This Giant
Optimist

TRACK

Optimist

Release date: 10th September 2012

From Love This Giant

More on David Byrne

About This Track

"Optimist" is a track by David Byrne, from the album Love This Giant, released 10th September 2012. Full lyrics are available below. Dork has published 19 articles about David Byrne.

About the Artist

David Byrne

David Byrne

Lyrics

Optimist

Waiting, but I don't mind

I'm all bus stops and heat

I'm neon in your daylight

I'm the optimist of 30th Street

How it is is how it oughta to be

I've got anything but moneyed esteem

The drinks on Condé Nast

I'm the optimist of 30th Street

How it is is how it oughta to be

I spy Vivian Girls on the Up, Upper East

There's no reason to be upset

There's no reason to not expect

There's no room for emptiness

No tea or sympathy

There's no room for emptiness

On a never empty street

Lyrics provided by LRCLIB

View full lyrics page →

Track details

From Love This Giant

2012

Listen

Album

Love This Giant

Release year

2012

—Dinner For Two
—Lazarus
—Ice Age
—Outside Of Space and Time
—I Am An Ape
—Weekend in the Dust
—Optimist
—I Should Watch T.V.
—The One Who Broke Your Heart
—Lightning
—The Forest Awakes

More from David Byrne

Albums & EPs

Who Is The Sky?

Who Is The Sky?

American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)

American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)

David Byrne's American Utopia On Broadway (Original Cast Recording)

American Utopia (Deluxe Edition)

American Utopia (Deluxe Edition)

American Utopia

American Utopia

Keswick Theatre 20-07-94

Love This Giant

Love This Giant

Here Lies Love

Everything That Happens Will Happen Today (Deluxe)

Everything That Happens Will Happen Today (Deluxe)

Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

Explore

More tracks by David Byrne

drivers license

The Problem Is You - The Twits

Don't Be Like ThatWho Is The Sky?

What Is The Reason For It? (feat. Hayley Williams)Who Is The Sky?

My Apartment Is My FriendWho Is The Sky?

Everybody LaughsWho Is The Sky?

A Door Called NoWho Is The Sky?

DefConWho Is The Sky?

I'm an OutsiderWho Is The Sky?

I Met The Buddha at a Downtown PartyWho Is The Sky?

Moisturizing ThingWho Is The Sky?

She Explains Things To MeWho Is The Sky?

The Avant GardeWho Is The Sky?

The TruthWho Is The Sky?

When We Are SingingWho Is The Sky?

What Is the Reason for It?

David Byrne Does Hard Times

The Fat Man’s Comin’

Fat Man's Comin'

alwys b u /// remixed

Who Has Seen the Wind?

This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody) [Live]American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)

The Great Curve (Live) [Bonus Track])American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)

Here (Live)American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)

I Should Watch TV (Live)American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)

Everybody's Coming to My House (Live)American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)

Glass, Concrete & Stone (Live)American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)

I Know Sometimes a Man Is Wrong / Don't Worry About the Government (Live)American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)

I Zimbra (Live)American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)

Lazy (Live)American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)

Once in a Lifetime (Live)American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)

Slippery People (Live)American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)

Hell You Talmbout (Live)

The Great Curve (Live)

Burning Down the House (Live)

Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) [Live]

Every Day Is a Miracle (Live)

One Fine Day (Live)

I Dance Like This (Live)

Santa Cruz de la Sierra

DreamworldGrown Backwards (Deluxe Edition)

AusenciaGrown Backwards (Deluxe Edition)

View all tracks by David Byrne →

Everybody's Coming to My House (Live)American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)
3:46
Glass, Concrete & Stone (Live)American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)
3:12
Here (Live)American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)
4:19
I Know Sometimes a Man Is Wrong / Don't Worry About the Government (Live)American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)
4:27
I Should Watch TV (Live)American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)
3:16
I Zimbra (Live)American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)
3:08
Lazy (Live)American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)
4:34
Once in a Lifetime (Live)American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)
5:34
Slippery People (Live)American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)
4:49
The Great Curve (Live) [Bonus Track])American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording Live)
5:46

Showing 10 of 50

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READ MORE ABOUT DAVID BYRNE

READ MORE ABOUT DAVID BYRNE

READ MORE ABOUT DAVID BYRNE

READ MORE ABOUT DAVID BYRNE

READ MORE ABOUT DAVID BYRNE

READ MORE ABOUT DAVID BYRNE

READ MORE ABOUT DAVID BYRNE

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David Byrne’s 'American Utopia' concert film is returning to cinemas in 4K this summer

David Byrne’s 'American Utopia' concert film is returning to cinemas in 4K this summer

Talking Heads frontman's Broadway production gets a one-night UK and Irish cinema return.

12 May 2026 • 1:36 pm

David Byrne has shared Spanish-language rework ‘¿Cuál Es La Razón?’ with Natalia Lafourcade

David Byrne has shared Spanish-language rework ‘¿Cuál Es La Razón?’ with Natalia Lafourcade

It's a brass-led Latin rework of album track 'What Is The Reason For It?' produced by Mexican Institute Of Sound.

28 Apr 2026 • 2:49 pm

St. Vincent and David Byrne swapped guest spots during their back-to-back closing sets at NOLA Jazz Fest

St. Vincent and David Byrne swapped guest spots during their back-to-back closing sets at NOLA Jazz Fest

Talking Heads classics featured in surprise collaborations at Sunday's festival sets.

28 Apr 2026 • 8:51 am

David Byrne has expanded his 2026 touring schedule with Asia and US shows

David Byrne has expanded his 2026 touring schedule with Asia and US shows

The newly confirmed extra run spans Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and the US.

21 Apr 2026 • 6:59 pm

Coachella weekend 2 livestream times have been revealed - here's what you can watch, and when

Coachella weekend 2 livestream times have been revealed - here's what you can watch, and when

Want to know which acts you can watch at what time at Coachella weekend 2? Find them all, plus the UK times, here.

16 Apr 2026 • 9:36 am

David Byrne offered up a Really Very Brilliant career-spanning set at Coachella 2026

David Byrne offered up a Really Very Brilliant career-spanning set at Coachella 2026

Political imagery and choreographed routines featured across a thirteen-song performance.

13 Apr 2026 • 11:53 am

Watch David Byrne perform ‘When We Are Singing’ on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Watch David Byrne perform ‘When We Are Singing’ on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Worldwide tour dates begin this week starting in Vancouver

31 Mar 2026 • 8:01 pm

David Byrne has revealed his Latitude Festival picks ahead of his summer headline set

David Byrne has revealed his Latitude Festival picks ahead of his summer headline set

The Talking Heads legend brings 'Who Is The Sky?' tour to Henham Park.

17 Mar 2026 • 12:20 am

David Byrne has covered Olivia Rodrigo's 'drivers license' for its fifth anniversary

David Byrne has covered Olivia Rodrigo's 'drivers license' for its fifth anniversary

Special vinyl editions release via Geffen Records with exclusive performances.

8 Jan 2026 • 5:18 pm

David Byrne has released his new single 'T Shirt', co-written with Brian Eno

David Byrne has released his new single 'T Shirt', co-written with Brian Eno

The new album is out now.

18 Nov 2025 • 3:59 pm

Latitude Festival has unveiled its 20th edition lineup featuring David Byrne, Lewis Capaldi and more

Latitude Festival has unveiled its 20th edition lineup featuring David Byrne, Lewis Capaldi and more

General ticket sales for the event commence on Wednesday through Ticketmaster.

3 Nov 2025 • 11:08 am

David Byrne, The Last Dinner Party, Danny Brown and 5 Seconds of Summer cover the new issue of Dork

David Byrne, The Last Dinner Party, Danny Brown and 5 Seconds of Summer cover the new issue of Dork

Plus Luvcat! Sigrid! Militarie Gun! bar italia! Del Water Gap! Loads more!

17 Oct 2025 • 3:00 pm

David Byrne has shared 'What Is the Reason for It?' featuring Hayley Williams, from his new album 'Who Is the Sky?'

David Byrne has shared 'What Is the Reason for It?' featuring Hayley Williams, from his new album 'Who Is the Sky?'

World tour features orchestral arrangements, AI-animated visuals, and multiple-night theater residencies.

3 Sept 2025 • 1:40 pm

David Byrne has shared his track 'The Avant Garde' from upcoming new album 'Who Is the Sky?

David Byrne has shared his track 'The Avant Garde' from upcoming new album 'Who Is the Sky?

Album features arrangements by Ghost Train Orchestra and guests from Paramore, St. Vincent.

14 Aug 2025 • 8:27 am

David Byrne has shared a new single, 'She Explains Things to Me'

David Byrne has shared a new single, 'She Explains Things to Me'

David Byrne releases new single inspired by Rebecca Solnit's book.

17 Jul 2025 • 8:11 am

David Byrne has announced his new album 'Who Is the Sky?', featuring St. Vincent, Hayley Williams and more

David Byrne has announced his new album 'Who Is the Sky?', featuring St. Vincent, Hayley Williams and more

David Byrne has also confirmed a worldwide tour.

10 Jun 2025 • 11:01 am

David Byrne and Robyn perform surprise duet at SNL 50th anniversary concert

David Byrne and Robyn perform surprise duet at SNL 50th anniversary concert

Byrne joined Robyn for a surprise performance of 'Dancing On My Own' and a Talking Heads classic at SNL's anniversary concert.

15 Feb 2025 • 5:43 pm

Mitski and David Byrne join forces on new track 'This Is A Life'

Mitski and David Byrne join forces on new track 'This Is A Life'

The new track is taken from the soundtrack to the film 'Everything Everywhere All At Once'.

8 Mar 2022 • 5:56 pm

Mitski, David Byrne and André 3000's flute all feature on the soundtrack to Everything Everywhere All At Once

Mitski, David Byrne and André 3000's flute all feature on the soundtrack to Everything Everywhere All At Once

The sci-fi action film by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert is set to release in the US on 25th March, with a soundtrack scored by Son Lux due on 8th April.

24 Feb 2022 • 1:06 pm

Credits

Production & Engineering

Writer: David Byrne, St. Vincent
Producer: David Byrne, St. Vincent
Co-Producer: John Congleton, Patrick Dillett
Guitar: David Byrne, St. Vincent
Vocals: St. Vincent
Additional Engineering: Jon Altschuler, Yuki Takahanshi
Brass: Garo Yellin
Brass Arranger: Tony Finno
Clarinet: Jack Bashkow, Steve Elson, Tom Timko
Drum Programmer: John Congleton
French Horn: Chris Komer, Eric Davis, RJ Kelley
Mastering Engineer: Greg Calbi
Mixing Engineer: Patrick Dillett
Omnichord: David Byrne
Percussion: Mauro Refosco
Recording Engineer: Jon Altschuler, Patrick Dillett, Yuki Takahanshi
Saxophone: Jack Bashkow, Tom Timko
Trombone: Brian Mahany, Jeff Caswell, Kenneth Finn
Trumpet: Gareth Flowers, Kelly Pratt, Mike Gurfield