Tom Waits has officially released the full version of his sardonic spoken-word track ‘The Fly’, offering fans a glimpse into his unique, darkly comic perspective. The song serves as the B-side to ‘Boots On The Ground’, the politically charged collaboration between Massive Attack and the iconic singer-songwriter, which marked his first original music since the 2011 album ‘Bad As Me’.
While a brief teaser of the track surfaced months ago, the complete release showcases Tom Waits delivering a begrudging, humorous tribute to the life of a common housefly. Reciting lines such as, “You have no house, well you have mine / You have no real friends, stay away from the wine,” Waits leans into the grim wit that has defined his most celebrated spoken-word pieces, including ‘What’s He Building In There?’ and ‘The Ocean Doesn’t Want Me’.
Reflecting on the nature of the song, Waits noted: “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.”
The track features an illustrated lyric video created by the artist’s son, Casey Waits. You can view the Instagram post below:
‘Boots On The Ground’ and ‘The Fly’ are scheduled for a joint 12-inch vinyl release on September 4. The pressing will be available in red, white, or blue, utilizing 180g ‘EcoSonic’ recycled materials to minimize environmental impact.
The collaboration arrives amidst a period of renewed activity for Waits. In 2023, his longtime agent Paul Charles suggested that the 76-year-old artist had been writing new material, sparking hopes for a potential return to touring. Earlier this year, Waits and his wife and collaborator Kathleen Brennan also curated ‘Where The Willow And The Dogwood Grow’, a collection featuring covers of their work by legendary artists such as Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, and Marianne Faithfull.
