Released as a single in July 1984, it became Buckingham's second top 40 hit (after "Trouble", three years earlier).

"[4] In later years, Buckingham stated that the song, "Go Insane", was actually written about his post-break up relationship with former lover, Stevie Nicks.

"[2] The Washington Post commented that the song's "punchy mid-tempo rhythm, catchy guitar riff, melody hook and the chorus harmonies all make this reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac, even if there are some odd effects in the background and an unsettling theme in the lyrics.

"[6] AllMusic likened "Go Insane" to Buckingham's work with Fleetwood Mac and highlighted the song's "massed choral sounds.

"[7] In concerts, notably on The Dance, Buckingham did an acoustic fingerstyle version of "Go Insane", which featured just him and a nylon-string guitar.