"I Go to Extremes" is a song by American singerBilly 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 USBillboard Hot 100 and peaked at number three on the CanadianRPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. The song was also a top-10 hit on both theBillboardAdult Contemporary andAlbum Rock Tracks charts. The song also reached at number 70 on theUK 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. TheB-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 album2000 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.
TheSt. 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 ofLife."[5][6][failed verification] The song is believed to be about Joel's own lifestyle.[7] TheB-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.
Dennis Hunt ofThe 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."[8] TheFresno 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."[9] ThePittsburgh Post-Gazette said of the song, "I realized a lot of rock critics must have tin ears. Why else would they pan Billy Joel?"[10] Jan DeKnock ofThe Chicago Tribune believed that the song was "another sure-fire winner from his [Joel's] "Storm Front" LP."[11] Robb Frederick ofThe Daily Collegian believed that the song "shows remorse for a moodiness which almost reaches the degree of schizophrenia".[12] John MCalley ofRolling 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."[13] TheMiami Herald believed that the song had potential to be a "great" song, but was still disappointed.[14] Stephen Thomas Erlewine ofAllmusic believed that the song was one of the strongest songs of the album, also calling it "catchy."[15] Matthew Bernstein ofThe Boston Globe believes that it's a great work-out song.[16]
