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I Go to Extremes
I Go to Extremes
I Go to Extremes
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"I Go to Extremes"
Single by Billy Joel
from the album Storm Front
B-side"When in Rome"[1]
ReleasedJanuary 1990
GenreRock
Length4:23
LabelColumbia
SongwriterBilly Joel
Producers
Billy Joel singles chronology
"Leningrad"
(1989) 		"I Go to Extremes"
(1990) 		"The Downeaster 'Alexa'"
(1990)
Music video
"I Go to Extremes" on YouTube

"I Go to Extremes" is a song by American singer Billy Joel from his eleventh studio album, Storm Front (1989), released as the album's second US single in early 1990. It reached the number-six position on the US Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number three on the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. The song was also a top-10 hit on both the Billboard Adult Contemporary and Album Rock Tracks charts. The song also reached at number 70 on the UK Singles Chart.[2]

At one point considered a song about a manic-depressive, the song was originally written as an apology to Joel's wife at the time, Christie Brinkley. The B-side to the single was "When In Rome", which appeared on the same album. The music video consists of Joel and his backing band playing the song in a room. The song received mostly positive response, and a live version appears on the album 2000 Years: The Millennium Concert. During live performances, Joel would often jokingly change the lyrics to the chorus, as well as to various lines in the song.

Writing and recording

[edit]

The St. Paul Pioneer Press believes that the song chronicles the highs and lows of a "manic-depressive".[3] However, according to Joel, the song is an apology that is directed to his then wife, Christie Brinkley.[4] Joel was apologizing for his erratic personality.[4] 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."[5] The song is believed to be about Joel's own lifestyle.[6] The B-side to the single release was another song from the album, "When in Rome".[1] The music video consists of Joel playing with musicians in a room.

Reception

[edit]

Dennis Hunt of The Los Angeles Times believed the song was the highlight of the album, saying that it was the only song that wasn't "tainted by a social message".[7] The Fresno Bee sarcastically says "Oh, Billy, stop it – you're just soooo extreme! Have your machine call my machine, and we'll do this extreme thing together."[8] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said of the song, "I realized a lot of rock critics must have tin ears. Why else would they pan Billy Joel?"[9] Jan DeKnock of The Chicago Tribune believed that the song was "another sure-fire winner from his [Joel's] 'Storm Front' LP".[10] Robb Frederick of The Daily Collegian believed that the song "shows remorse for a moodiness which almost reaches the degree of schizophrenia".[11] John MCalley of Rolling Stone called the song "hard-driving", and thought the character in the song was "futilely [trying] to account to his girlfriend for his inconsistent moods and wavering confidence".[12] The Miami Herald believed that the song had potential to be a "great" song, but was still disappointed.[13] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic believed that the song was one of the strongest songs of the album, also calling it "catchy".[14] Matthew Bernstein of The Boston Globe believes that it's a great work-out song.[15]

Personnel

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States January 1990
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • cassette
 Columbia [30]
Japan January 21, 1990 Mini-CD CBS/Sony [31]
United Kingdom February 19, 1990
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
 CBS [32]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

I Go to Extremes

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"I Go to Extremes" is a rock song written and performed by American musician , serving as the second single from his eleventh studio album, Storm Front. Released in January 1990, it became a top-ten hit, peaking at number six on the US chart in March 1990. The track, produced by and Mick Jones, features prominent piano riffs and driving rhythms that underscore its energetic yet introspective tone. Storm Front, Joel's first album of original material in three years, was released on October 17, 1989, by and debuted at number one on the , propelled by hits like "" and this single. The album marked a shift toward a harder rock sound, influenced by Joel's collaboration with Foreigner's Mick Jones, and sold over seven million copies worldwide. Lyrically, "I Go to Extremes" delves into Joel's personal struggles with manic depression, capturing the highs and lows of his emotional state with lines like "Too high or too low, there ain't no in-betweens." According to Joel, the song reflects his , which he has described as beneficial for songwriting due to the intensity it provides, stating, "there's not a lot of material in moderation." The "darling" addressed in the lyrics is believed to refer to his then-wife, model , amid challenges in their marriage. The song also achieved success on other charts, reaching number four on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and number 70 on the UK Singles Chart. Its music video, directed by Paula Greif, features Joel performing in various New York City locations, emphasizing urban energy and personal reflection. Over the years, "I Go to Extremes" has become a staple in Joel's live performances, often showcasing his piano prowess during tours, including his long-running Madison Square Garden residency.

Background and recording

Writing and inspiration

"I Go to Extremes" was written by in 1988 during a period of personal reflection amid tensions in his marriage to , whom he had wed in 1985. The song emerged as a form of apology to her, acknowledging his own extremes in personality and behavior that strained their relationship, with lyrics addressing emotional volatility and the challenges of balancing family life with his career demands. Joel initially framed the track as a exploring manic-depressive tendencies, later clarifying it as a self-reflective piece on his own emotional , which he described in an interview as his " to manic depression." This personal dimension drew from his lifelong experiences with mood swings, which he credited with fueling his creative process, though he noted the condition's role in both inspiration and hardship. The song's arrangement mirrors this theme, spanning the keyboard's full range to evoke the intensity of those extremes. The track connects to the broader introspective themes of Joel's 1989 album Storm Front, representing a return to personal storytelling in pop-rock after earlier experimental works, with songs grappling with inner turmoil and lost innocence. This shift was influenced by Joel's recovery from a serious 1982 accident on , which severely injured both hands and prompted a reevaluation of his life and artistry, fostering the vulnerability evident in later material like "I Go to Extremes." In interviews, Joel has shared how the accident's aftermath, combined with marital strains, shaped his worldview toward greater self-examination.

Production and personnel

"I Go to Extremes" was recorded at in during the 1988–1989 sessions for 's album Storm Front, with additional recording taking place at Right Track Recording, in , and The Power Station in New York. The track was produced by and Mick Jones of Foreigner, marking a shift from Joel's longtime collaborator , whom Joel replaced amid tensions during prior projects; Joel took a more hands-on role, handling lead vocals, , and . Key personnel on the song included David Brown on guitars, on , Schuyler Deale on bass, and Jeff Jacobs on synthesizers, with backing vocals provided by Ian Lloyd and . contributed backing vocals and percussion to the album overall. Production emphasized a piano-led arrangement that built to a driving rock climax with a soaring chorus, engineered by Jay Healy and mixed at Studio.

Musical aspects

Composition

"I Go to Extremes" is a mid-tempo rock song in the key of , lasting 4:23 at a of 127 beats per minute. It features piano-driven verses that gradually build intensity toward guitar-heavy choruses, creating a dynamic contrast between restraint and release. The song's structure adheres to a standard pop-rock format: an intro leading into a verse-chorus sequence, repeated for the second verse, followed by a bridge, a final chorus, and an outro that fades with echoing and guitar elements. This arrangement allows for dynamic shifts, transitioning from introspective, -led verses to anthemic, full-band rock in the choruses. Blending and pop influences, the track showcases a rhythmic style akin to Joel's earlier work, emphasizing melodic hooks and energetic propulsion. The arrangement highlights a prominent that anchors the verses, solos performed by David Brown, and subtle synthesizer layers by Jeff Jacobs that add atmospheric texture without overpowering the core instrumentation. These elements were captured during recording sessions at in .

Lyrics

The lyrics of "I Go to Extremes" follow a straightforward pop-rock structure consisting of three verses, three choruses, a bridge, and an outro, centered around the recurring "Darling, I don't know why I go to extremes," which symbolizes the singer's between emotional . The verses build a of through first-person confessions, contrasting moments of clarity and vigor—such as "Clear as a , sharp as a knife / I feel like I'm in the prime of my life"—with exhaustion and , like "Sometimes , sometimes I'm shot." This repeats to underscore the absence of moderation, with the chorus elaborating: "Too high or too low / There ain't no in-betweens," highlighting a life of all-or-nothing intensity. At its core, the song explores themes of personal duality, juxtaposing passion and restraint, love and conflict, as a reflection on the artist's turbulent inner world. Joel drew from his to , using the lyrics as an implicit apology for his erratic behavior amid the pressures of fame and artistry, portraying himself as boomeranging between devoted and tormented creator. Brinkley later described the track as capturing a pivotal shift in their relationship around , when external stresses like lawsuits and touring began to strain their bond. The original intent positions the piece as a raw, non-clinical admission of , with Joel noting in interviews that his extremes fuel : "There’s not a lot of material in ." Key lines in the third verse, such as "Out of the darkness, into the light / Leaving the scene of the crime," evoke redemption and heightened , suggesting a cycle of error and enlightenment that ties into the song's broader motif of emotional redemption. This progression culminates in the outro's repetitive questioning—""—reinforcing unresolved tension without resolution. In live performances, Joel has evolved the delivery by humorously altering , such as ad-libbing variations on the like "I go for ," lightening the tone while preserving the original's essence. The musical build in these renditions often amplifies the lyrical tension, mirroring the extremes described.

Release and promotion

Single release

"I Go to Extremes" was released in January 1990 in the United States as the second single from Billy Joel's album Storm Front, following "We Didn't Start the Fire." The single was issued in multiple formats, including 7-inch vinyl (Columbia 38-73091), cassette, and CD single, with the B-side featuring "When in Rome," an album track from Storm Front that served as a non-album B-side in certain regional releases. Internationally, the single was released in the United Kingdom on February 19, 1990, via CBS (JOEL 2), and in Japan in 1989 through CBS/Sony labels (CSDS 8116). The single's packaging and artwork depicted Joel in a stormy setting, aligning with the thematic elements of the Storm Front album cover.

Music video

The music video for "I Go to Extremes" was directed by Paula Greif and released in 1990 to promote the single from Billy Joel's album Storm Front.[] It was filmed in a minimalist studio setting, centering on performance footage of Joel and his band playing their instruments.[] The visuals primarily show Joel at the piano and singing, with the band accompanying him against blue-lit backgrounds that evoke a stark, atmospheric mood.[] Production focused on capturing the band's high energy and interplay, aligning with the track's upbeat rock drive and Joel's passionate delivery.[] The video aired frequently on MTV, where it ranked on their Top 100 Videos of 1990 list, aiding promotion shortly after the single's early 1990 release.[]

Commercial performance

Chart performance

"I Go to Extremes" entered the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1990 and steadily climbed to its peak position of number 6 on the chart dated March 17, 1990, where it held for one week before descending, ultimately spending a total of 16 weeks on the ranking. The track's strong performance was bolstered by substantial radio airplay across pop and rock formats, contributing to its sustained presence on the charts. It also reached number 4 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart on the same date, reflecting its broad appeal to adult audiences. Internationally, the single saw moderate success, peaking at number 3 on Canada's RPM Top Singles chart. In the , it debuted on the Official Singles Chart and reached a high of number 70, charting for 4 weeks. The song entered Australia's ARIA Singles Chart in February 1990, peaking at number 48 for one week, while in the , it attained number 43 on the Dutch Top 40. On year-end tallies, "I Go to Extremes" ranked number 82 on the 1990 , underscoring its solid commercial impact amid a competitive year for pop-rock singles. In , it placed at number 25 on the RPM year-end Top Singles chart. The track's trajectory highlighted Billy Joel's enduring popularity in the early 1990s, driven by consistent airplay and the momentum from its parent album Storm Front.
Chart (1990)Peak PositionWeeks on Chart
US Billboard Hot 100616
US Mainstream Rock Tracks1012
US Adult Contemporary420
Canada RPM Top Singles320
Australia (ARIA)481
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)438
UK Singles (OCC)704

Sales and certifications

"I Go to Extremes" achieved estimated worldwide sales of 650,000 units, with the majority driven by the and Canadian markets. The single did not receive any RIAA gold or certifications, in contrast to its parent album Storm Front, which was certified 4× Platinum by the RIAA for exceeding 4 million units sold . Following a revival in the , the track garnered strong digital performance, including over 10 million streams on as of November 2025, though these did not result in any formal sales-related awards. Sales-wise, it underperformed relative to fellow Storm Front single "," which reached an estimated 1.7 million units globally.

Reception and legacy

Critical reception

Upon its release as the second single from Billy Joel's 1989 album Storm Front, "I Go to Extremes" received generally positive contemporary reviews for its energetic piano-rock style, though some critics noted limitations in its lyrical substance. Rolling Stone described the track as "hard-driving" while observing that its protagonist experiences "vague frustrations and longings" in a futile attempt to find balance, positioning it as emblematic of the album's tempestuous tone. The Los Angeles Times awarded Storm Front three stars out of five, labeling the overall effort "imitative" and suggesting Joel was still seeking artistic respectability beyond his pop formula, with "I Go to Extremes" contributing to this polished but unoriginal sound. AllMusic echoed this mixed assessment in its three-star album review, praising the single's commercial appeal as a return to Joel's piano-driven roots amid the record's arena-rock production, though it critiqued the broader work for lacking innovation. Retrospective analyses have frequently positioned "I Go to Extremes" as an underrated entry in Joel's catalog, highlighting its enduring appeal as a motivational . In a 2025 ranking of Joel's top 50 songs, hailed it as a "standout" for blending "pop hooks with personal storytelling," calling it a "high-energy about emotional " powered by a memorable and dynamic vocals. Publications like Ultimate have similarly praised its "thrumming " and ability to elevate the album's "blustery arena-rock production," underscoring its strengths in hooks and vitality. Critics have pointed to the song's robust hooks and propulsive energy as key strengths, often contrasting these with perceived weaknesses in lyrical depth, where themes of emotional volatility come across as somewhat superficial for some listeners. The Daily Vault, in a 1997 retrospective, lauded it as "one of the best songs Joel has ever recorded," spotlighting the interplay of and as nearly symphonic in their power. Overall, the track has been viewed positively in 1990s compilations like The Hits (1997), where it anchored Joel's late-'80s output alongside other singles, reinforcing its role as a fan favorite despite initial reservations about its bombast. Later documentaries have framed "I Go to Extremes" as emblematic of Joel's confessional phase during his turbulent late-1980s personal life, capturing his struggles with emotional instability and marital strain. A 2025 People magazine analysis tied the song's narrative of "inability to stabilize his wide-ranging emotions" directly to the dissolution of Joel's marriage to Christie Brinkley, marking it as a raw, autobiographical pivot in his songwriting. The HBO Max documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes (2025) further explores this era and Joel's personal struggles during his late-1980s life.

Live performances and covers

"I Go to Extremes" debuted live on December 9, 1989, during Billy Joel's Storm Front Tour at the Worcester Centrum in . The song quickly became a staple of the tour, which supported Joel's 1989 album Storm Front and consisted of 173 shows from 1989 to 1991, with the song performed in 87 of them. Iconic renditions include the June 22–23, 1990, concerts at in , New York, where Joel became the first rock artist to headline the venue; a live recording from these shows was later released on the 2022 album Live at Yankee Stadium. The track also featured prominently in Joel's New Year's Eve millennium concert at on December 31, 1999, captured on the album 2000 Years: The Millennium Concert. During the 1993–1995 Tour, "I Go to Extremes" appeared regularly in setlists, including a performance at the Los Angeles Sports Arena on December 13, 1993. Joel has varied the song's presentation over the years, often incorporating humorous ad-libbed lyric changes during encores to engage audiences. In his later Madison Square Garden residencies starting in 2014, he has delivered acoustic interpretations, stripping the track to piano and vocals for a more intimate feel amid full-band arrangements of his catalog. Notable covers include Paul Anka's jazz-inflected version from his 2007 album Classic Songs My Way, which reimagines the rock anthem with big-band orchestration. Tribute artist Tom Pfeiffer recorded a faithful rendition with his band in 2015, emphasizing Joel's piano-driven style. Virtuoso pianist Alex Shumaker has also performed an instrumental cover, showcasing the song's melodic complexity in live settings. While samples of "I Go to Extremes" are rare, the track has influenced rock piano techniques, inspiring artists to blend introspective lyrics with energetic builds. The song remains a fan favorite in Joel's setlists, performed over 350 times across tours, symbolizing themes of personal resilience that resonate enduringly with audiences.

References

  1. https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1990-03-24/
  2. https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-go-to-extremes-mw0000948434
  3. https://www.billboard.com/pro/ask-billboard-the-weird-connections-between-mary-lambert-madonna/
  4. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/billy-joel/i-go-to-extremes
  5. https://www.billboard.com/charts/adult-contemporary/1990-03-24/
  6. https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/16696/billy-joel/
  7. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8661154/
  8. https://people.com/billy-joel-falling-for-christie-brinkley-like-being-teenager-divorce-left-him-devastated-11778900
  9. https://www.the-independent.com/bulletin/lifestyle/billy-joel-hbo-documentary-christie-brinkley-b2796374.html
  10. https://popcultureclassics.com/billy_joel.html
  11. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/storm-front-246953/
  12. https://ultimateclassicrock.com/billy-joel-motorcycle-accident/
  13. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5Q6NzG2Wh9GgFRJKk6CcBBT/punches-and-pianos-how-billy-joel-became-a-music-legend
  14. http://albumlinernotes.com/Storm_Front.html
  15. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/billy-joel/storm-front-4/
  16. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/billy-joel/storm-front/1000
  17. https://www.discogs.com/release/1961772-Billy-Joel-Storm-Front
  18. https://ultimateclassicrock.com/billy-joel-storm-front/
  19. https://tunebat.com/Info/I-Go-to-Extremes-Billy-Joel/16LYB0chkPiblx33djiNTt
  20. https://www.classicrockreview.com/2014/04/1989-billy-joel-storm-front/
  21. https://genius.com/Billy-joel-i-go-to-extremes-lyrics
  22. https://www.musicology.blog/diving-into-the-extremes-a-musical-adventure-with-billy-joels-i-go-to-extremes/
  23. https://www.discogs.com/master/75442-Billy-Joel-Storm-Front
  24. https://www.allmusic.com/album/storm-front-mw0000202019
  25. https://www.discogs.com/release/3206264-Billy-Joel-I-Go-To-Extremes
  26. https://www.discogs.com/release/13010572-Billy-Joel-I-Go-To-Extremes
  27. https://www.45cat.com/record/joel2
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  30. https://imvdb.com/video/billy-joel/i-go-to-extremes
  31. https://www.imdb.com/list/ls022208479/
  32. https://www.billboard.com/lists/billy-joel-biggest-hot-100-hits/
  33. https://www.billboard.com/lists/billy-joel-adult-contemporary-top-10-songs/
  34. https://musicbrainz.org/release-group/af647f34-060c-43ae-b393-b732837b97e8
  35. https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Billy+Joel&titel=I+Go+To+Extremes&cat=s
  36. https://tsort.info/music/ur8x9a.htm
  37. https://musiccanada.wordpress.com/2016/03/06/top-100-singles-of-1990-in-canada/
  38. https://chartmasters.org/cspc-billy-joel-popularity-analysis/
  39. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Billy+Joel&ti=Storm+Front#search_section
  40. https://kworb.net/spotify/artist/6zFYqv1mOsgBRQbae3JJ9e_songs.html
  41. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-billy-joel-songs-1235368167/
  42. https://ultimateclassicrock.com/billy-joel-best-song-every-album/
  43. https://dailyvault.com/toc.php5?review=149
  44. https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-hits-mw0002058699
  45. https://guestpectacular.com/artists/billy-joel/events/45199/song/i-go-to-extremes/tour/storm-front
  46. https://www.billyjoel.com/news/billy-joel-live-at-yankee-stadium-out-now/
  47. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/billy-joel/1993/los-angeles-sports-arena-los-angeles-ca-23d354b3.html
  48. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/25/arts/music/billy-joel-100-shows-interview.html
  49. https://www.allmusic.com/album/classic-songs-my-way-mw0000483714
  50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A30duEgMOyU
  51. https://www.whosampled.com/Billy-Joel/I-Go-to-Extremes/
  52. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/billy-joel-7bd6be40.html?songid=23d414a3
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