Earlier this year, Tom Waits teamed up with Massive Attack for “Boots on the Ground,” marking his first new recording in eight years. Now, Waits has unveiled the single’s B-side, a spoken-word track titled “The Fly,” inspired by his “begrudging admiration for the brief, unsung life of the insect.”
“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,” Waits said of the track. “Hence, the B-side of Massive Attack’s upcoming 12-inch, ‘The Fly,’ features my appreciation for the winged nuisance.”
“The Fly” is available now on streaming services (see below) and will appear alongside “Boots on the Ground” on a 12-inch EcoSonic vinyl release arriving September 4th. Proceeds from the vinyl will benefit civil rights and community advocacy organizations.
“Boots on the Ground” was named Consequence’s top song of 2026 so far.