Tom Waits & Massive Attack share “The Fly” 12″

The anticipation surrounding the collaboration between Massive Attack and legendary musician Tom Waits is reaching a fascinating new stage. The duo’s latest 12 inch single, titled Boots on the Ground, is set to be released on September 4, promising a blend of atmospheric sound and gritty storytelling.

But the true depth of this project extends beyond the main track. Included on the B-side is a brand new spoken word piece penned by Waits himself, titled The Fly. This side delves into a surprisingly philosophical take on life, folly, and the persistent nature of human experience.

Waits provided some insight into the creation of the piece, framing it through a lens that connects simple observation to existential themes. He suggests that the entire project echoes an enduring truth: “Today, as in all of mankind’s yesterdays, guarantees this type of song will never go out of style.”

The theme explored on the B-side is centered around a rather vivid metaphor—man’s mistakes and the inescapable reality of existence. Waits posits that humanity’s errors are almost a form of cosmic entertainment, hinting that “Man’s folly of fiascos is a feast for the flies.”

The spoken word piece opens with a stark, observational poetry about the fleeting nature of life and transient relationships. It paints a picture of simple, chaotic existence:

You have no house, well you have mine
You have no real friends, stay away from the wine
House fly go to sleep say goodbye, no one will weep when you die
On horses, on houses, in May, any spill is a pond where you play
Buzzing and hovering table tops, when you land it abruptly stops
Get a job, turn off the siren, go into town, see if anyone’s hiring
You have such a short life, who is that there, your wife?

This poetic reflection brings a raw, grounded energy to the track. It juxtaposes the ephemeral nature of domestic life and fleeting attention with the stark reality of survival.

Fans interested in diving deeper into this artistic vision can view the animated video for The Fly, as well as the visual accompaniment for Boots on the Ground. These multimedia additions offer a richer context to the unique collaboration between Massive Attack and Tom Waits.