I Go To Extremes – English Lyrics

• By: Billy Joel
• Album: Storm Front

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the powerful world of Billy Joel's "I Go to Extremes" to explore emotional depth and dynamic rock songwriting. This song, with its relatable themes of navigating life's highs and lows, offers a fantastic opportunity to engage with English through poignant lyrics and Joel's signature blend of pop and rock, making it special for its raw honesty and energetic musicality.

[English]

Call me a joke, 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?

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

I don't know why, I don't know why

...

I don't know why, I don't know why

Out of the dark, into the light

...

Either I'm wrong, perfectly right

...

I don't know why

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
extreme /ɪkˈstriːm/ B1	adjective - very great in degree or intensity
cool /kuːl/ A2	adjective - calm and relaxed
crystal /ˈkrɪstəl/ B1	noun - a clear, transparent mineral
sharp /ʃɑːrp/ A2	adjective - having a thin cutting edge or a point
prime /praɪm/ B2	adjective - of the best or most important quality
last /lɑːst/ A1	verb - to continue to exist or occur
darling /ˈdɑːlɪŋ/ A1	noun - a term of endearment
stand /stænd/ A1	verb - to be in an upright position
fall /fɔːl/ A1	verb - to move downward, typically rapidly and freely
tired /ˈtaɪərd/ A1	adjective - feeling in need of rest or sleep
headed /ˈhɛdɪd/ B1	adjective - moving in a specified direction
kill /kɪl/ A2	verb - to cause the death of
break /breɪk/ A1	verb - to separate into pieces as a result of a blow or strain
darkness /ˈdɑːrknəs/ A2	noun - the absence of light
light /laɪt/ A1	noun - the natural agent that stimulates sight
eager /ˈiːɡər/ B1	adjective - very keen or eager