Why EVERYONE Loves Toxic by Britney Spears 

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This guy explains things in a way that makes me feel like I understand it all, when in reality, I really don't

Now I'm imagining a prank at a jazz club. Pianist plays this long intro that's Toxic but jazz and nobody realizes until the singer comes up and starts in on the lyrics.

This song I think was written in a classic James Bond title song style so naturally it grabs and engages us with fantasies of action, danger yet also sexiness and sophistication. It’s a martini cocktail of references and great catchy melodies that makes you feel like that bond spy, villain or sexy Bond girl. If you don’t realise it consciously it definitely connects subconsciously. Great analysis!

I remember when this song came out -- and I'm a retro-head, wasn't into modern pop music at the time -- but I thought that this was the beginning of a new inventive era of pop and was quite excited to see what would follow. But here we are so many years later and it remains a stand-alone killer of a record. I still think it was a missed opportunity for a lot pop people to explore all of those middle-Eastern/Spaghetti Western flavours. Awesome track.

This is the best pop song of the 2000s, in my opinion. Just a perfect storm of catchiness and inventiveness. Every pop songwriter should aspire to mix those two qualities. The goal should be for people to listen to something "new" and "strange" without realizing it's new and strange. If you manage that, your song is much more likely to go down as a classic rather than be forgotten as disposable and formulaic.

There is a retrograde inversion of the main lick halfway into the second verse and its something I always talk about when I hear this song at parties. And only part of the reason I'm still single 🙃

Toxic is still a banger after all these years. I never get tired of it!

As a non-musician, after seeing this video, I still have no idea why I love the song do much...💁🏻‍♀️

This man’s range and content variety is always a treat, didn’t expect this song to pop up hahaha

Cathy Dennis who wrote the song also wrote hits for other major artists, including the song "I kissed a girl" and "I can't get you out of my head". Somewhere here on RU-vid you can hear Cathy singing "Toxic" which was used as the pitch to Britney's team (but actually the piece was destined originally for Kylie Minogue!)

Massive props to Cathy Dennis, who had a few pop hits of her own in the early 90s, and then went on to write several more hits for other artists, including this one.

Funny thing, i actually was at a Britney Spears concert when I was younger. And she did play a super crazy version of baby one more Time as a jazz piece. So I can imagine that there are influences from Jazz with the producers she works with. gr8 video❤

There's something very particular about Britney's voice that makes it really stand out. I agree that the instrumentation is spectacular, but something about the way she sings this is different than a lot of people.

I just love it when Charles is nerding out about pop music doing more advanced theoretical stuff! He also describes it all in such a nice and easy way to follow

I was a 20 year old man in college when this song came out and I have never denied absolutely loving this song and I have never tired of it. Despite being somewhat of a music snob and multi-instrumentalist. It’s just undeniable - like “It’s Raining Men”.

I'm an unapologetic metalhead since the '80's (yes, I'm an old), but this song is an absolute banger! The whole song is great, but that acoustic guitar makes me so happy.

I think it's somewhat important to note that this song is inspired by Bollywood musicals. The string line is from “Tere Mere Beech Mein,” from a huge 80's Bollywood musical. I suspect the songwriters started with that sample and found chords that worked with that "flavour". I'd love to hear your analysis of the musical harmony of different cultures.

I just love that there is this trend in recent months where there are these musicians who are looking at the music of Britney Spears and realizing that, actually, it's not manufactured, but actually musically brilliant. And it's because of the song writers, producers, and of course Ms. Britney Spears herself that made these songs so legendary and iconic. Thanks for this, Charles! :)

Thanks for the vid! I subscribed. Toxic is Dracula meets burlesque. It has a hypnotic quality. You don’t think it would work but it does and it’s decadent. Britney’s voice also brings out a personality and technicality to it that I don’t think the song wound sound right sung by anyone else. Her voice is sultry in it. And her voice strings like the violins in the chorus. The lyrics is also a realization of the truth, of how things are, not the way we want them to be, no matter how much we wish - and that is cathartic - realizing that the person that attracts her is toxic and she is acknowledging that, that nothing good and healthy and sustainable can happen from it.

As someone who doesn't understand the technical aspects of musical composition I enjoy this song for the main Bollywood sample it uses. Complete late 70s - 80s nostalgia

I think the bass/synth is single-handedly the reason why this song has been such a hit for almost 20 years

As a classically trained musician this is the most jazz approach to analysing pop music I've ever witnessed and it's just fascinating to see your process. Especially because you land on similar conclusions to classical harmonic reduction but by totally different understanding along the way

I've long asserted that Toxic is a genuinely great song. So many little things to love in there!

Bloodshy & Avant, the two Swedes who basically created all of this, are really a cool production team. They went on to become Miike Snow with the US singer Andrew Wyatt - and all the the three Miike Snow albums are stupendous. Such unorthodox, but still incredibly accessible, pop-friendly music, located somewhere between indie guitar and dance. I really hope for a fourth Miike Snow record to happen. Christian Karlsson seems to more preoccupied with his other project Galantis though (fair enough, given their success). Pontus Winnberg has a band in Sweden now, Amason, who are also fantastic to listen to - kinda 70s Pop with twists and warps (Dungen's Gustaf Ejstes is a member of this band). Andrew Wyatt meanwhile is writing all the best songs for Liam Gallagher's solo records. So, become a fan of Miike Snow everyone, is what I'm saying.

What really makes it work is Britney's vocals. Toxic is great fun musically, but it's all a platform for Britney to do something spectacular. She sings in several different styles she only hinted at before, and with a different attitude than we were used to. She's strong, a bit shocking, sexy as hell, deadly dangerous...and (just saying how it feels) she addresses me directly, er, addresses her fame and her fans directly. She addicted to us, though she knows that the popstar/fan relationship is basically toxic. Once that's established, she's a tender-hearted girl who loves babies, and who has to harden that tender heart against falling in love with every fan. In the midst of all the musical drama of the song and the characters she plays to sing it, Britney expresses some very hip emotional honesty. Musically it's a James Bond theme that never was, and it's Britney that makes it fun. A perfect vehicle for her talent. She sparkles and shines in the video, and not just in the sparkly bodysuit. Also, your piano sounds beautiful.

There's an intensely creepy rendition of Toxic that was composed for the soundtrack of "Promising Young Woman", highly recommend checking that out, it's a phenomenal recreation of this tune

Also the timbre and mixing of the bass is VERY satisfying.

The Aeolian vs Dorian demo over the chord bed was absolutely fascinating. I’ve watched a ton of music theory videos, and this one made the most sense to me by miles. Awesome video as always, Mr. Cornell!

Toxic's bassline is perfection

I remember the first time I heard this song, I was a big music snob back then, and all my friends and family knew it. I was in the car with my sister when it came on the radio and I said "this is cool". My sister said "you know this is Britney Spears right?" looking at me skeptically.

I've always loved this song. It's just so catchy. Was never a huge fan of Pop Music but as I got deeper and deeper into production I gained a huge appreciation for these types of pop songs where the production and writing is just so catchy and fun. I remember when I went to Full Sail we had an exercise where we had to take a pop song and notate it. I chose this song and when they presented it in front of the class the teacher immediately thought it was wrong just by looking at it because "those chords" couldn't possibly be in a Britney Spears song. He was wrong as the other instructor played it out lol that's why I chose it because it sort of went outside of the norms for a "pop song".

It’s amazing how by you just playing the chords and notes of the song, you make a pop song sound like classical music. What it shows us is that music is the same throughout time. Designed to evoke emotion and express a story.

i would love to hear a full jazz arangement of toxic

good music is good music, no matter how complex or simple it may be.

Loved the harmony analysis but also what makes this song amazing is the arrangement and sounds selection / production over the entire song. Synths and Acc GTRs, Western GTRs, Violins... Pop Master Piece Definitely

I could just listen to you play along, front to back. It adds so much to an already solid song.

This is delightful. I really want to hear the full jazz cover of "Toxic"!

As my taste has changed and developed over time I have shifted away from modern pop songs but one of the few exceptions to that is Toxic which I have found myself liking more each time I catch it. The chorus especially has caught me like “oh damn that’s good” because I really love the minor chromatic walk down progression, it’s one of my favorites.

I've never been ashamed of loving this song!

I have successfully learned and understood more about music theory from this breakdown of Toxic than all of the music lessons or actual theory books and videos that have attempted to explain it to me.

Toxic is my favorite song to see covered. It works with any style and showcases the musicality of the performer.

It's true. I can't stand like at least 95% of pop music. So, back in the days, having to listen to radio music at work, when I heard this song for the first time, my music sensors where tingling and I HAD to stop for a minute to listen. I didn't want to believe it was Britney Spears and I didn't tell anyone either.

You’re so fun and interesting to watch. I learned a lot 🙏🏼 thanks

I always thought this song was compositionally genius and suspected it had something to do with modes - thank you for breaking that all down for us! Also, I enjoyed your enthusiasm talking about the various chords and modes. The world is blessed to have you. 🙏🏼🌎💖

The descending dominant is what’s used in salsa….. I’m not blown away because we Latinos have used these chords progressions in salsa since EVER! I love Britney and I’m so happy you did this. It’s a great song. Check out the song “El Ratón” by Cheo Feliciano very similar chord progressions.

Toxic IS one of my favorite pop songs! I love that creepy vibe that it gives. Thanks for breaking it down. When I heard Maniac by Stray Kids (KPop) I felt the same vibes as Toxic. As jarring as it sounds, the progression makes sense.

With all respect, but music is way more than chords and melodies. It's also about groove, significance and sound. The production of this track is just fabulous. Those surf rock guitars! The lyrics! Bollywood strings! (sampled from a Bollywood soundtrack, look it up)... not to mention the snappy beats and the irresistable bass synth. It's just a highly original piece of art, which is very rare in mainstream pop music nowadays.

Love the jazz version at the end - awesome!

Fun Fact: the opening violin riff is a sample taken from a popular Bollywood classic song (60s/70s).

People know me as a music snob, and they are always amused that I love this track. They automatically think that since it's Britney I would have hated it. But it's an amazing track!

I have studied music, and piano in music school, this explanation is huge! Congrats!

Your channel scratches my brain and lets me exercise my music theory knowledge with your reinforcement. Brilliant, I love it.

Toxic would have been such a cool Bond song. Thanks for always amazing videos

I just realized that Brittney’s Toxic and System of a down’s Toxicity are in the same key 😳 Can we get a mash-up of these songs? Can anyone get on that???

THANK YOU for making music theory so entertaining!! I'm so glad to be learning something!

excellent harmonic analysis! Lots of nuance in this song - plus some of the pop tricks of the trade like a poppin' bass line, drop of instrumentation (AKA 'the drop') when the vocal line hits *chef's kiss* well done Charles

The Switched On Pop episodes on Britney Spears have totally changed my mind about her oeuvre. And whatever you think about it in general, Toxic just objectively slaps.

Ironically I think that I much prefer the more pop style with this structure as opposed to the jazz. Something about the power in toxic makes the harmonies and complex theory that much more effective than something a little more lowkey like Charles played at the end.

How joyful to listen to your analysis of this! Way back in a time called the late 80s/early 90s, I was a music history/theory major in a liberal arts school, and there's something so marvelous about hearing music analysis and thinking, " Oh yeah! I speak that!" 💖

My uncle had just passed away and I was at the house alone and this song came on the TV at like 2 in the morning. It helped snap me out of my depression.

Bloodshy & Avant have the songwriting and producing credits on Toxic. They’re part of the band Miike Snow which has some amazing music.

Britney's producers and song-writers have always written unique and perfect songs to fit Britney's voice.

Toxic is soooooooo ahead of its time! Even after 20 years, it never faded!

Shout out to Cathy Dennis for writing this banger (her backing vocals are still in the final mix behind BS’s lead vocal).

I always knew this was a special tune and could never explain why but your deep knowledge and fantastic analysis make it literally stand out as something truly fabulous and fascinating.

Anyone in desperate need for Charles to record and release an album covering this song and other famous pop songs using just piano? I love his style and sounds whenever he demonstrates each section of the song. His playing is always so rich and full sounding. This channel was such a happy find. I love it.

I don’t understand music but I just love how excited you are.

Toxic was in part written by Cathy Dennis. This alone makes it a hit, in my opinion.

Turn this into a series and a playlist. Its amazing. I love the way you do these analysis.

Awesome song. Thanks for explaining that. I love the baseline!!

The sample is simply amazing. It stucks so much!

I love the Deftones/Britney Change/Toxic mashup - it works soo well

I remember learning the chords for this song a couple years ago and being blown away by the tritone substitution in the chorus. So cool. We need more pop songs with interesting harmonies.

That was a way more interesting and informative explanation of “What makes this song great” than what I’ve seen on some other YT channels. Good job Charles and thank you.

Keep these coming!

Cathy Dennis is a great songwiter, they hardly changes a note on her demo for this.

you should credit the songwriters, bloodshy & avant, henrik jonback and cathy dennis. all that amazing progressions and harmonies you speak of are from these guys probably after listening to something bollywood.

What’s binding this song so well together, part from the harmony, is that frickn’ bass. Love the bass.

I put this up there with ABBA's SOS as one of the pop songs with the most hooks. Both have interesting variations, transitions and catchy little riffs which are so pleasing to the ear and keep the listener interested. In a musical genre which I generally find full of dull mediocrity these songs are shining examples of how to make irresistably interesting pop songs.

absolutely love how much range your content has! As a jazz singer and a pop music fanatic, I fucking love your channel dude. Always get excited to see you upload!

I always think 'a good' song works really well in any style and it is so true for 'toxic' - for me it is the most fun pop song to sing, love this video explanation 🙂

Yes!! Thank you for this video! I have loved this song ever sing it came out and I was fascinated to learn about its sophisticated harmony.

Thanks for making me appreciate the beauty of this song even more.

I remember hearing it (toxic) for the first time and being blown away by the utter originality of the tune. I immediately reached for a guitar to play along.

I always talked about that song and how great it is constructed, what make these chords sound normal and not weird on the "average pop ears" is the melody and the rhythm. its weird to say that but this song is a masterpiece. and the composer of that song is a f... genius

I also love the strangely processed guitar in the tune with the lilting rhythms. It's like a 12-string that's played strummed, but muted, processed with chorus with a long predelay on it for that boxy hollow sound.

this analysis kinda reminded me of how Chalie Puth in a live EDS an analysis breakdown of how amazing the construction of Britney's songs such as Oops... it's really nice to watch how ppl dissect the mind behind iconic songs of our times

I love your analyses, Charles. I have no knowledge of music theory and don’t know what’s going on but I do enjoy your enthusiasm and playing. I’d love to hear a full cover of this song from you :)

I’ve always loved music but ever since I started actively trying to learn more about it in pursuit of getting better at producing it, it’s an entirely different experience. And this channel is just amazing for leaning about different genres and methods to apply them in my own practice. I also happen to love this sample/song which has led me to sample it in the past. But your breakdown on it gives me an interesting new perspective!

This inspired me to look for piano covers of the song and was not disappointed, they're out there, in varying styles.

I think it's been mentioned, but huge credit needs to goto Cathy Dennis, you can look up her demo of this song on youtube and its almost exactly the same. Britney basically just karaoked it.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who enjoys this song. I knew the harmony was complex but I never analyzed it. Thanks Charles!

You sir are a great communicator and explained this cool song in a very enjoyable way. I learned lots from this. THANKS :0)

Your mastery of Music is inspirational!

Riffing on the chord progressions made this so much more comprehensible for me than just jamming the chords. Badass!

In the 00s mark ronson covered this in a jazzier way using horns and all sorts, really showing that jazzy quality to the harmony, really worth checking out

If you would meka an hour extension for this song, only piano, I would cry because of the joy

I could hear a brass band playing Toxic in the distance, across a city in the uk i was in, it made me go to where they were playing

I read somewhere that this song was originally written for Kylie Minogue, but she passed on it and they shopped it to Britney.