Ian McElroy is Conor Oberst's cousin; I assume that's who "Ian" in the song is. His brother, Collin McElroy, died around 2000 or 2001. I think he killed himself, but I could be wrong. Maybe "feeling it" is understanding and sharing his grief. But then again, Conor's already written several songs about his cousins, so it could be something different.
Ian McElroy is Conor Oberst's cousin; I assume that's who "Ian" in the song is. His brother, Collin McElroy, died around 2000 or 2001. I think he killed himself, but I could be wrong. Maybe "feeling it" is understanding and sharing his grief. But then again, Conor's already written several songs about his cousins, so it could be something different.