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

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.

After songwriters Daniel Ledinsky and Erik Hassle created the melody, the rest of TV on the Radio added their contributions to complete the song.

Slate Magazine likened the song's new wave style to a combination of The Police and Joy Division.

[5] On October 3, 2014, TV on the Radio released a music video for "Happy Idiot" referencing Speed Racer.