According to Joel, the song is an apology that is directed to his then wife, Christie Brinkley. Joel was apologizing for his erratic personality. In live concerts, Joel would often jokingly create new lyrics for the chorus, such as "I go for ice cream", and "I got a new wife on the cover of Life." The song is believed to be about Joel's own lifestyle. The b-side to the single release was another song from the album, "When in Rome". The music video consists of Joel playing with musicians in a room.
I Go to Extremes
Billy Joel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Right at this moment I'm totally cool
Clear as a crystal, sharp as a knife
I feel like I'm in the prime of my life
Sometimes it feels like I'm going too fast
I don't know how long this feeling will last
Maybe it's only tonight
Darling I don't know why I got to extremes
Too high or too low there ain't no in-betweens
And if I stand or I fall
It's all or nothing at all
Darling I don't know why I got to extremes
Sometimes I'm tired, sometimes I'm shot
Sometimes I don't know how much more I've got
Maybe I'm headed over the hill
Maybe I've set myself up for the kill
Tell me how much do you think you can take
Until the heart in you is starting to break?
Sometimes it feels like it will
Darling I don't know why I go to extremes
Too high or too low there ain't no in-betweens
You can be sure when I'm gone
I won't be out there too long
Darling I don't know why I got to extremes
Out of the darkness, into the light
Leaving the scene of the crime
Either I'm wrong or I'm perfectly right every time
Sometimes I lie awake, night after night
Coming apart at the seams
Eager to please, ready to fight
Why do I go to extremes?
And if I stand or I fall
It's all or nothing at all
Darling I don't know why I go to extremes
Too high or too low there ain't no in-betweens
And if I stand of I fall
It's all or nothing at all
Darling I don't know why I go to extremes
No I don't know why I go to extremes
Too high or too low there ain't no in-betweens
You can be sure when I'm gone
I won't be out there too long
Darling I don't know why I go to extremes
In Billy Joel’s “I Go to Extremes,” the singer reflects on his life that he always goes to the edges, whether it’s feeling “totally cool” or “coming apart at the seams”. The singer goes on to say that he is either loving or fighting, and there is no in-between for him. He seems to be aware that he is unusual or maybe even slightly crazy, but he doesn’t understand why he is like this. He questions himself and his behavior, conceding that he is going too fast and he doesn't know what will happen to him in the future. The song finishes with the idea that he isn't sure why he is the way he is when he says: “Darling, I don't know why I go to extremes, but it's all or nothing at all.”
The song mainly deals with the theme of extremes and the singer’s personal life journey. It's like he's living in two separate worlds or constantly shifting between two opposing ideas or perspectives. The song’s catchy melody fuels the theme, and the repetition of “Darling I don't know why I go to extremes” gives the song a sense of confession, as if the singer is revealing a deep, personal secret. The song captures the confusion, fear, and highs and lows of life, and people can relate to it on numerous levels. The song’s ultimate message is that even though you may not understand the reason why you lead an extreme life, the struggle is worth it because the singer is his best self when he is living on the edge.
Line by Line Meaning
Call me a joker, call me a fool
You can call me a silly person, but I am comfortable with who I am.
Right at this moment I'm totally cool
I am feeling good and relaxed in this moment.
Clear as a crystal, sharp as a knife
My thoughts are lucid and I am mentally focused.
I feel like I'm in the prime of my life
I feel like I am at the best point in my life right now.
Sometimes it feels like I'm going too fast
I feel like I am moving forward too quickly and it worries me.
I don't know how long this feeling will last
I wonder how long my current positive emotions will continue.
Maybe it's only tonight
Perhaps this way I feel will only last for this one evening.
Darling I don't know why I got to extremes
I do not know why my feelings and actions are so intense and extreme.
Too high or too low there ain't no in-betweens
I feel either very happy or very sad, there is no middle ground.
And if I stand or I fall
Whether I succeed or fail.
It's all or nothing at all
I put all of my effort and energy into the things I do.
Sometimes I'm tired, sometimes I'm shot
Occasionally I feel exhausted and spent from my intense emotional disposition.
Sometimes I don't know how much more I've got
I question how much farther I can push myself emotionally.
Maybe I'm headed over the hill
Perhaps I am getting too old or worn out for my extreme emotional behavior.
Maybe I've set myself up for the kill
My risky, intense behavior may result in negative consequences or failure.
Tell me how much do you think you can take
How much pressure and intensity do you believe you can handle?
Until the heart in you is starting to break?
When is the point when overwhelming emotions begin to feel unbearable?
Darling I don't know why I go to extremes
I am unsure why my emotions and actions are so extreme.
You can be sure when I'm gone
You can be certain that when I am away,
I won't be out there too long
I will not stay away for an extended period of time.
Out of the darkness, into the light
I leave negativity behind and progress towards positivity.
Leaving the scene of the crime
I am leaving behind the negative actions or emotion that brought me down.
Either I'm wrong or I'm perfectly right every time
I feel like I am either completely wrong or completely correct in my thoughts or behavior.
Sometimes I lie awake, night after night
I often have trouble sleeping, and lie awake for hours on end.
Coming apart at the seams
I am feeling like my emotional state is falling apart and causing me stress.
Eager to please, ready to fight
I am willing to go to great lengths to make people happy, and will become confrontational if I see a loved one in danger.
Why do I go to extremes?
I do not know why my emotional state is so extreme and intense, despite the negative impact it may have on me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILLY JOEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@erickgerardoriveraorellana9158
"I Go To Extremes"
Call me a joker, call me a fool
Right at this moment I'm totally cool
Clear as a crystal, sharp as a knife
I feel like I'm in the prime of my life
Sometimes it feels like I'm going too fast
I don't know how long this feeling will last
Maybe it's only tonight
Darling I don't know why I go to extremes
Too high or too low there ain't no in-betweens
And if I stand or I fall
It's all or nothing at all
Darling I don't know why I go to extremes
Sometimes I'm tired, sometimes I'm shot
Sometimes I don't know how much more I've got
Maybe I'm headed over the hill
Maybe I've set myself up for the kill
Tell me how much do you think you can take
Until the heart in you is starting to break?
Sometimes it feels like it will
Darling I don't know why I go to extremes
Too high or too low there ain't no in-betweens
You can be sure when I'm gone
I won't be out there too long
Darling I don't know why I go to extremes
Out of the darkness, into the light
Leaving the scene of the crime
Either I'm wrong or I'm perfectly right every time
Sometimes I lie awake, night after night
Coming apart at the seams
Eager to please, ready to fight
Why do I go to extremes?
Darling I don't know why I go to extremes
Too high or too low there ain't no in-betweens
And if I stand or I fall
It's all or nothing at all
Darling I don't know why I go to extremes
No I don't know why I go to extremes
Too high or too low there ain't no in-betweens
You can be sure when I'm gone
I won't be out there too long
Darling I don't know why I go to extremes
@daysleeper318
I'm constantly amazed at how varied Billy's sound and style has been throughout his career, and how he excelled at everything he did. Truly the epitome of a diverse musician.
@cesartoledo5621
Yes , Billy is a bad ass!!
@chrisbatchelor864
yes he sounds so different here. i didn't know it was his singing this for years,anyway a great song
@kevinfriel8321
TOTALLY AGREE !!!!!!
@renebrown7394
Agreed
@geetallygee5089
Diversity=Billy Joel❣️🤩
@jesusramirez-mu9zk
One of billy Joel's best songs
@theoo.2019
That can be said about like all of his songs. Great talented guy. Saw him live recently. He was great and still rocks at 73!
@janpiet4740
Yep
@jessicadawson7870
Absolutely yes