Happy Idiot

"Happy Idiot" is the first single off of American indie rock band TV on the Radio's fifth studio album Seeds.

"Happy Idiot"
Single by TV on the Radio
from the album Seeds
ReleasedSeptember 2, 2014 (2014-09-02)
StudioSonic Ranch
Length3:03
LabelHarvest
Songwriter(s)Daniel Ledinsky, Erik Hassle

Background

TV on the Radio's lead singer Tunde Adebimpe clarified to Music Feeds that Happy Idiot's lyrics were about distancing from the shock of an event and placing oneself in danger.[1]

Composition

In an interview with Rolling Stone, guitarist Dave Sitek explained the step by step process of "Happy Idiot". Stiek started creating the song at Sonic Ranch by arranging the musical instruments. After songwriters Daniel Ledinsky and Erik Hassle created the melody, the rest of TV on the Radio added their contributions to complete the song.[2]

Reception

Critics both praised and panned the music style in "Happy Idiot". Slate Magazine likened the song's new wave style to a combination of The Police and Joy Division.[3] However, Beat Magazine opined that the usage of hi-hats did not add anything to "Happy Idiot", and called the song "nothing more, nothing less, nothing revelatory",[4] while Spin Magazine called the song "a typically straining post-punk exercise".[5]

Music video

On October 3, 2014, TV on the Radio released a music video for "Happy Idiot" referencing Speed Racer. In the music video directed by Danny Jelinek, Paul Reubens plays a racecar driver that is hallucinating about a girl played by Karen Gillan.[6]

In a statement by Tunde Adebimpe, Adebimpe said that he came up with the idea for the music video and approached Funny or Die, who accepted the idea. He also highlighted that Paul Reubens was a big influence on him, and that he was excited to work with Karen Gillan.[7]

Charts
Chart (2014–2015) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[8] 89
Canada Rock (Billboard)[9] 49
Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard)[10] 41
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[11] 20
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[12] 27
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[13] 42
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[14] 42

References
  1. Young, David James. "TV On The Radio Talk The Loss Of Gerard Smith & Vivid LIVE 2015". Music Feeds. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  2. Edwards, Gavin. "Dave Sitek on the Snacks and Fights That Fueled TV on the Radio's 'Seeds'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  3. Lockett, Dee. "TV on the Radio's New Song Is Their Best In Years". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  4. Kanoniuk, Lachlan. "TV On The Radio: Happy Idiot". Beat Magazine. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  5. Joyce, Colin. "Hear TV on the Radio Go Blissfully Numb on 'Happy Idiot'". Spin. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  6. Payne, Chris. "Pee-wee Herman Is Off to the Races in TV on the Radio's 'Happy Idiot' Video". Billboard. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  7. Minsker, Evan. "TV on the Radio's "Happy Idiot" Video Stars Paul Reubens (aka Pee-wee Herman) and Karen Gillan". Pitchfork. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  8. "Ultratop.be – TV on the Radio – Happy Idiot" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  9. "TV on the Radio Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  10. "Mexico Ingles Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  11. "TV on the Radio Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  12. "TV on the Radio Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  13. "TV on the Radio Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard.
  14. "TV on the Radio Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard.

"Happy Idiot" official music video on YouTube

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