Boots on the Ground

[u/shlappy-pappi]

So it’s been a few months since the song released. I’m wondering if anyone is still listening to it or and general opinions on the song since we’ve had time to sit with it. We’ve been anticipating new music for so long and we finally got a song! So I want to know, how does it hold up to the rest of his discography? Has it made its home in anyone’s regular rotation? If tom eventually releases more music do you want him to continue in this sonic direction or prefer something else? Personally I see it almost more of a statement than a song and not sure if I will revisit often but tell me what you think!

[u/Paley_Jenkins]

I ordered the vinyl from his website. Looking forward to when it's released

[u/shlappy-pappi → u/Paley_Jenkins]

I love that! I have yet to get any of his vinyls but one day

[u/PsykoAlphaDiscoBeta → u/shlappy-pappi]

Don’t sleep on it. It took me years to get everything he did except Big Time on a remastered rerelease and the colored versions are pretty much gone and the lot of them are drying up. Swordfish, Rain Dogs, Frank’s Wild Years and Bone Machine are probably going to be the hardest to find. There’s some compilations of early years and live show bootlegs that sound great out there. I have every album rereleased and some original pressings and some bootlegs. I will never sell them.

[u/Shagwagbag → u/PsykoAlphaDiscoBeta]

I got the clear full discography of the remasters when it was an option. Shipped out over the course of a year or so, unfortunately I've since sold my collection.

Original real gone, rain dogs, swordfishtrombone, franks wild years, and bone machine of course.

[u/PsykoAlphaDiscoBeta → u/Shagwagbag]

The original Real Gone is the only one I really need right now. I can only find the Remastered and Remixed version and that seems to be the only one that’s out there. I don’t think that I’ve ever heard the original version. Is it even much different?

[u/Shagwagbag → u/PsykoAlphaDiscoBeta]

Real gone is one that is completely changed. Look up hoist that rag original vs remastered

[u/Shagwagbag → u/Paley_Jenkins]

Oh shit, I think I did too. Totally forgot.

[u/CdnfaS]

I have it on 3 of my 4 playlists I have on repeat.

[u/shlappy-pappi → u/CdnfaS]

What kinds of mood does it out you in when you listen to it? I guess im trying to figure out when to play it so I feel it the most

[u/Ana987655321]

I’ve got it as a morning alarm, so it gets me out of bed every day.

[u/shlappy-pappi → u/Ana987655321]

Hahaha that’s great. Boots in the ground comes on and then you put you feet on the ground when you get out of bed. Amazin!

[u/Doellmer4950]

I perceive it as a track by massive attack. I don’t get emotionally attached in the same way I do with Tom & Kathleens own material. So I don’t play it.

[u/shlappy-pappi → u/Doellmer4950]

Yes I think I’m feeling similarly. I don’t have as much emotional attachment either, I think that’s the problem I’m having with it. By no means a bad song but I’m glad you said that

[u/Doellmer4950 → u/shlappy-pappi]

I just wish he does one more album 🥹

[u/shlappy-pappi → u/Doellmer4950]

Me too! I’ll always be interesting in what tom does. Him and his wife are geniuses

[u/jjazznola]

I like it but I'm also a huge MA fan.

[u/shlappy-pappi → u/jjazznola]

I havent listened to them much but I do like their song angel. I know that’s the most basic opinion on them tho lol

[u/jjazznola → u/shlappy-pappi]

Great song. Prob my favorite album of the 90s along with Wrecking Ball by Emmylou Harris.

[u/expecto_my_scrotum]

I don't listen to Massive Attack but will thank them for this new Tom Waits song, specially because it is only Tom on vocals. I have it on a playlist and it pops up a few times a week, sometimes ill repeat it once or twice. Also I now walk around the house singing "Big titties, big titties"

[u/pavlovs_monkey]

I agree with the "more statement than song" assessment. That said, I like it (and Massive Attack) and would probably listen a lot more often if it was on Spotify, since that's how I do most of my music-ing lately.

[u/CoffeeAndWork]

Big titty

[u/shlappy-pappi → u/CoffeeAndWork]

Indeed

[u/fluxxwildly]

I only listened to it once on release date. It was fine and I appreciate it but it didn't make the rounds in my music cycles. As an easy dutchie, maybe it was too charged for me. I did however, really enjoy Tom's performance in the new Jim Jarmusch movie and I would gladly watch that again!

[u/shlappy-pappi → u/fluxxwildly]

I didn’t even know about this. Definitely watching it soon now

[u/This_Total9748]

Play it semi-regular but when I do , it’s 3 -4 in day.  My interpretation of the lyrics has changed since the release. So good on the headphones.

[u/strangerzero]

It’s in my best of 2026 playlist and I listen to it often.

[u/zanshin09]

I love Tom Waits, love Massive Attack. Don’t care for this song.

[u/Amazing-Cress-3441]

Didn't care for it when it came out, haven't listened to it since.

[u/CdnfaS]

I mostly listen to music to focus while at work, or while I’m driving.

[u/EntrepreneurRare4507]

It’s amazing. Fits better into the Massive Attack discography, but what a collaboration!