This was one of the first songs lead singer Michael Stipe wrote after the death of friend and actor River Phoenix on Halloween 1993. Stipe sunk into depression and didn't write anything for five months.
This features backing vocals from Sonic Youth guitarist Thurston Moore. The two bands had been friends for over a decade, and this was Stipe's way of acknowledging their influence.
Courtney Love, who is the Hole singer and widow of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, thought this song was about her. Stipe was friends with Cobain, who had recently killed himself, and had taken Love to the 1994 MTV Movie Awards. In the August 2010 issue of Uncut magazine, Love said: "I know 'Country Feedback' and 'Crush With Eyeliner' are about me."
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