Billy Joel is frequently said to have struggled with
bipolar disorder, and this
song's
analysts have often considered the
lyrics reflective of his feelings about the
illness.
Disclaimers
(1) I have not found any information to indicate whether Billy Joel has publicly declared himself a diagnosed bipolar sufferer (although a friend swears he has).
(2) The bipolar community (of which I am part) is fond of appropriating celebrities, dead and alive, into their sphere, and is also inclined to read almost anything as a commentary on bipolar.
Having said that, however: their interpretation is entirely plausible, even obvious, although it is a relatively reductive, simplistic treatment of bipolar. Then again, it's still just rock and roll to me.
It's a good song, too, if you like Billy Joel and the Storm Front album, on which it is track four.
I recently realized that, aside from the numerous web sites concerning bipolar disorder on which the lyrics are quoted, it is also offered under the node on manic depression in a write-up by PUssyKat. Since I can't figure out which, if either, write-up is redundant, I thought I should mention the original.