Boots on the Ground

The long-anticipated return of iconic artist Tom Waits to original music arrives with a visceral and politically charged new track, "Boots on the Ground," a collaboration with the seminal electronic music duo Massive Attack. This powerful anthem, released on Thursday, marks Waits’ first new original material in fifteen years, following his 2011 album Bad as Me. The song is a stark and unflinching condemnation of warfare, both on foreign battlefields and within domestic borders, resonating with a raw intensity that has become Waits’ hallmark. Massive Attack, who have also been relatively quiet since their last release in 2020, contribute their signature atmospheric and Pensive soundscape, creating a potent sonic backdrop for Waits’ searing lyrics.

The lyrical content of "Boots on the Ground" is confrontational, targeting not only the soldiers engaged in conflict but also the architects of war. Waits paints a grim picture of military action, with lines that condemn soldiers pursuing individuals perceived as "Brown, mean and young, dumb and full of cum." However, his most potent ire is reserved for those in positions of power who initiate and perpetuate conflict. Midway through the track, which unfolds with a deliberate, bluesy tempo, Waits unleashes a scathing critique of political figures, questioning, "Now who the hell are these federal pricks? … air-conditioned fuckstick loafers, sittin’ in a room full of army posters." This imagery evokes a sense of detachment and hypocrisy, highlighting the disconnect between the decision-makers in comfortable offices and the harsh realities faced by those on the front lines. The song’s haunting refrain, "Boots on the ground, boots on the ground," serves as a persistent, unsettling reminder of the human cost of war. Waits’ son, Casey Waits, also lends his vocal talents to the track, adding another layer to its compelling narrative.

The release of "Boots on the Ground" was accompanied by a powerful music video, conceptualized and produced by Massive Attack. This visual component features a montage of images by the American photo artist known as thefinaleye. The video’s accompanying description frames the work as a portrayal of "a momentous American epoch that is yet to be named," arriving in the wake of significant public demonstrations against issues such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, the increasing militarization of domestic law enforcement, and the rise of state authoritarianism. The description also provides links to various U.S. organizations dedicated to assisting immigrants, underscoring the song’s commitment to humanitarian causes.

Further solidifying the project’s philanthropic intent, "Boots on the Ground" will be released as a 12-inch vinyl record. The B-side will feature a spoken-word piece by Tom Waits titled "The Fly." Proceeds generated from the sale of this limited edition vinyl will be donated to two prominent civil liberties and immigrant advocacy groups: the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Immigrant Defense Project. This initiative highlights the artists’ dedication to supporting organizations working on the front lines of social justice issues.

Tom Waits, in a statement accompanying the release, reflected on the genesis of the collaboration. "One day many years ago, I accepted an invitation from Massive Attack to collaborate," he explained. "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." This sentiment speaks to Waits’ enduring perspective on human nature and the cyclical nature of conflict.

Massive Attack echoed Waits’ sentiments, expressing their honor in working with such a celebrated artist while acknowledging the current global climate. "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," they stated. "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." This joint statement emphasizes the urgency and relevance of "Boots on the Ground" in the contemporary sociopolitical landscape.

The release of "Boots on the Ground" also coincides with another significant project from Massive Attack. On Friday, the group will release a spoken-word piece inspired by the writings of Omar El Akkad, author of acclaimed novels such as American War and What Strange Paradise. El Akkad’s nonfiction work, One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This, is described by Massive Attack as a "nonfiction masterpiece," indicating a deep resonance with the themes explored in his writing. This project further showcases Massive Attack’s engagement with literature and its potential to inform and inspire their artistic output.

For Tom Waits, "Boots on the Ground" represents a notable return to recording original music, a domain he has largely stepped back from in recent years to focus on his acting career. Since the release of Bad as Me in 2011, Waits has been active on the silver screen, most recently slated to appear as John Malkovich’s brother in filmmaker Martin McDonagh’s upcoming film, Wild Horse Nine. His foray back into music with such a potent protest song underscores his continued engagement with pressing social and political issues, even as his artistic focus has diversified.

The themes explored in "Boots on the Ground" are not new territory for either Tom Waits or Massive Attack, both of whom have a history of vocal activism. Massive Attack has been particularly outspoken in their opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza. Their commitment to this cause was evident when Robert Del Naja, a key member of the group, was among approximately 500 protesters arrested in London for supporting the advocacy group Palestine Action. Furthermore, in 2023, Massive Attack collaborated with Fontaines D.C. and Young Fathers on an EP aimed at benefiting Doctors Without Borders and their relief efforts in Gaza, demonstrating a consistent dedication to humanitarian aid.

Tom Waits’ own history of engaging with political issues includes a significant moment in 2017 when he granted Banksy permission to use an instrumental version of his 1987 song "Innocent When You Dream" for the artist’s "The Walled Off Hotel" installation in the West Bank. At the time, Waits noted on social media that the installation was intended to mark the centenary of Britain’s former colonization of Palestine and its "disastrous consequences." He highlighted Banksy’s desire to illuminate the daily lives and art of Palestinians by blending opulence with dystopian elements. Waits specifically chose the "Irish tinged waltz" for its "lyrical and wistful mix of regret and dreams for a world without walls," drawing a parallel to the historical struggles of the Irish people. This engagement with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict also predates the current release, with his 2006 song "Road to Peace" addressing the same subject matter.

Background and Chronology of the Collaboration

The seeds for "Boots on the Ground" were sown years ago, with Tom Waits mentioning in his statement that he "accepted an invitation from Massive Attack to collaborate" a significant time prior. This suggests a prolonged gestation period for the project, a common characteristic of both artists’ creative processes, particularly for Massive Attack, whose releases are often spaced years apart. The specific timeline of their collaboration remains private, but the fact that Waits accepted the invitation years before the song’s release highlights a shared artistic vision and a patient approach to creation.

Massive Attack’s last musical output was in 2020, and their decision to release new material alongside Tom Waits, an artist who has also been selective with his musical releases in recent years, signals a deliberate and impactful statement. The timing of "Boots on the Ground" release, on a Thursday, precedes a Friday release of another spoken-word piece from Massive Attack, indicating a strategic rollout of their collaborative and individual projects. This careful planning suggests a desire to maximize the impact of their combined artistic voices on contemporary issues.

Sociopolitical Context and Analysis

The release of "Boots on the Ground" arrives at a critical juncture in global politics, characterized by heightened geopolitical tensions, increasing militarization, and concerns over authoritarianism. The song’s direct critique of "federal pricks" and "air-conditioned fuckstick loafers" can be interpreted as a commentary on the disconnect between political leadership and the realities of conflict. This resonates with a broader public sentiment in many Western democracies, where trust in political institutions has been eroded by perceived indifference to the suffering caused by wars and internal conflicts.

The specific lyrical references to "Brown, mean and young, dumb and full of cum" have drawn attention and sparked discussion. While potentially provocative, this phrasing can be understood within Waits’ characteristic gritty and unflinching lyrical style, aiming to convey a raw and unvarnished depiction of the dehumanization and exploitation that can occur in wartime. It speaks to a visceral understanding of the vulnerable populations often caught in the crossfire of military operations, particularly in contexts of colonial or imperialistic ventures.

The collaboration with Massive Attack, a group known for its politically charged music and activism, amplifies the song’s message. Massive Attack’s own statements about the fusion of state authoritarianism, militarized police forces, and neo-fascist politics in the Western Hemisphere lend significant weight to the track’s thematic concerns. Their involvement suggests a shared concern for the erosion of civil liberties and the increasing use of state power to suppress dissent.

The choice to support the ACLU and the Immigrant Defense Project through the sale of the 12-inch vinyl further anchors the song’s message in tangible action. These organizations are at the forefront of defending the rights of immigrants and challenging discriminatory policies, aligning perfectly with the song’s implied critique of state overreach and the human cost of such policies. The inclusion of links to these organizations within the music video’s description provides a direct call to action for listeners who are moved by the song’s message.

The broader implications of "Boots on the Ground" extend beyond its immediate musical release. It serves as a potent reminder of the power of art to engage with and comment on pressing social and political issues. In an era where information can be overwhelming and often divisive, songs like this cut through the noise, offering a raw and emotional perspective that can foster dialogue and encourage critical thinking. The collaboration between two artists of such caliber, united by a shared commitment to addressing war and authoritarianism, sends a powerful signal about the enduring relevance of protest music and the importance of artistic voices in advocating for peace and justice. The song’s enduring message, amplified by its philanthropic aims, positions it as a significant cultural artifact of its time, one that encourages listeners to look beyond the abstract pronouncements of power and confront the concrete realities of conflict.