Massive Attack / Tom Waits: "Boots on the Ground"

"'Boots on the Ground' is a cyclical song about cycles of violence, and part of its genius is the way it collapses multiple theaters of war into one ignominious battle scene, a spiritual blast crater big enough to swallow the whole nation."

"The song's video, a montage of protest footage by documentary photographer thefinaleye, drives home the connections between overseas wars, the violent repression of civil rights on the domestic front, and the homelessness and substance abuse that plague American soldiers after their tours of duty are done."

"'We trim your hedges, we fight in your wars' - and the lack of respect with which they're treated by Washington's kleptocrats: 'A soldier's just clay/How much does every soldier weigh?/Cut you off at the ankles and throw you away.'"

'Boots on the Ground' by Massive Attack features Tom Waits, whose haunting vocals convey the grim realities of war. The song's cyclical nature reflects ongoing violence, merging various conflicts into a singular narrative. It connects the experiences of soldiers with domestic issues like police brutality and homelessness. The lyrics highlight the working-class identity of military personnel and their treatment by those in power. The accompanying video reinforces these themes through protest footage, illustrating the broader implications of war on society and the individuals involved.

Read at Pitchfork