Massive Attack and Tom Waits - Boots On The Ground

New Single

Story by Ben Avery

17/04/2026

'Boots on the Ground’ is a new single by Massive Attack and the folk / genre blending musical veteran Tom Waits.

It’s a protest song originally written and recorded by Waits years ago. Now re-recorded in collaboration with Massive Attack. The lyrics feel even more relevant today set against a backdrop of ICE, Gaza and Iran. The accompanying video is created by Massive Attack working with US photo artist thefinaleye. This evocative, high-intensity montage portrays a momentous American epoch that is yet to be named, and comes in the aftermath of the largest public protests in American history - focused on opposition to ICE raids, the militarisation of domestic forces, and state authoritarianism. It has been released on Massive Attack’s new record label Play It Again Sam. This is their first release on their new label. Notably it is not available on Spotify. Massive attack recently introduced a policy of not publishing to the Swedish streaming giant. Removing their material from Spotify and publishing any new music to the Spotify platform is in response to Spotify CEO Daniel Ek investing $700 million in the AI military startup Helsing. It's available for streaming and download from all the other major platforms. A 12 inch vinyl release with additional material is available to pre order, release later in the year, with all profits from the vinyl going to American Civil Liberties Union and the US Immigrant Defense Project. Boots On The Ground is the first of several releases planned around Massive Attack’s forthcoming live activity, including a run of major festival performances throughout summer 2026. This is the first new music for the 76 year old Waits since his 2011 album, Bad As Me. Tom's gravely vocals, inspired originally by his maternal uncle's raspy, gravelly timbre are accompanied by additional vocals from his son Casey.