definitely a space oddity...not terrible, and some parts are even captivating in an odd way. Well, at the least the article had a nice promo shot of Mr. Dullea

https://www.theguardian.com/film/20...-a-space-odyssey-released-52-years-later

After moonlighting on his day job to compose the song, Kaplan had it professionally mixed and sung by folk performer Naomi Gardner.

“The intent was to capture the different responses 2001 was generating from audiences and the media, the many levels of interpretation and appreciation, from its hypnotic visuals to its metaphysical illuminations. We also wanted to instil curiosity among audiences who had not yet seen what was becoming a cultural phenomenon,” Kaplan has explained.

He wanted to emulate the success of the quirky hit MacArthur Park, featuring Richard Harris, but when he played it to Kubrick the tinny reproduction on a portable machine did it no favours. Although the great director liked the title, he said he could not imagine it becoming a hit. The two friends never discussed the song again, although they continued to work together closely on A Clockwork Orange. Another composer, Alex North, also wrote a score for 2001, but Kubrick ultimately went for a classical work, Strauss’s Also Sprach Zarathustra.

So much of great film-making comes from having the right instincts to either go with an idea or reject it and Kubrick was pretty much almost always correct.

On a related note, did you know that Sergio Leone was the first composer asked by Kubrick to score "A Clockwork Orange"? He declined and someone by the name of Walter (later Wendy) Carlos ended up making a legendary score for the film. So that's one rare instance where Kubrick's initial plan was not the best one.

edit: Oh and I listened to the song. All I can say is "Ugh!".

The song sounds dated so if Kubrick used it in the promo material (if you read the article the song was never intended to be used in the theatrical cut) it would have certainly been seen as a misfire by the man.