Massive Attack & Tom Waits – “Boots On The Ground”

Today is an historic occasion: There's a new Tom Waits song in the world. "Boots On The Ground," Waits' first new release since 2011's Bad As Me, is also the first new Massive Attack song since 2020's Eutopia EP. It's billed as the first in a series of new releases from the legendary trip-hop group ahead of their upcoming live dates. It's also the first Massive Attack release to be withheld from Spotify per their stated wishes. Waits' son Casey contributes additional vocals.

"Boots On The Ground" is a protest song. "Now who the hell are these federal pricks?
Hiding in the Senate like a bloated-ass tick," he sings at one point. "Air-conditioned fuckstick loafers/ Sittin' in a room full of army posters." Waits says the song was recorded years ago but remains perpetually relevant. It's paired with a video created by Massive Attack documenting the sad state of America today, which provides lots of horrific stats about ICE, crackdowns on protesters, homelessness among veterans, and more. The song will be released on 12" vinyl with a spoken word B-side by Waits titled "The Fly."

A statement from Massive Attack:

It’s a career honour to collaborate with an artist of the magnitude, originality and integrity of Tom, but this track is arriving in an atmosphere of chaos. Across the western hemisphere, state authoritarianism and the militarisation of police forces are fusing again with neo-fascist politics. Seen within the American emergency, at home and overseas, this track contains pulses of callous impulse & abandoned mind.

And one from Waits:

One day many years ago, I accepted an invitation from Massive Attack to collaborate. Their long release delay never worried me. Today, as in all of mankind's yesterdays, guarantees this type of song will never go out of style. Man's folly of fiascos is a feast for the flies. Hence, the B side of Massive Attack’s upcoming 12 inch "The Fly" features my appreciation for the winged nuisance.

Watch the "Boots On The Ground" video below.

"Boots On The Ground" is out now via Play It Again Sam. The 12" vinyl with "The Fly" is available for pre-order here.