This is a song about domestic violence. It was written before the O.J. Simpson trial, but many people interpreted it to be about that because of the timing.
Lynda Stipe, sister of lead singer Michael Stipe, sang background vocals. She has been in bands like Oh-OK and Hetch Hetchy, but hasn't enjoyed the commercial success of her brother.
On the album, this precedes one of R.E.M.'s characteristic brief instrumental interludes.
Rain Phoenix also provided backing vocals for this song. The Monster album was dedicated to her late brother, actor River Phoenix, who died from drug-induced heart failure the year before, at age 23. She would later appear in the band's video for "At My Most Beautiful."
