Why EVERYONE Loves Toxic by Britney Spears

[@CharlesCornellStudios]

Only a few days left to get Intro to Piano for 50% off and make your piano playing not toxic or actually just use it to learn how to play toxic idk it's your life cornellmusicacademy.com/

[@sploofyspluff3841]

Hi

[@alessiorossi]

What about “Plastic Love”?

[@Rhekon]

Have you checked out Shiro Sagisu yet? I can’t remember. His Rei I always stood out as a relatively eerie but beautiful track, and all of the stuff from the Bleach original soundtracks was pretty fun, especially during the arrancar portion of the series.

[@EvenFilms]

It’s more obscure for most people, but I would LOVE to see a breakdown of Age of Adz by Sufjan Stevens.

[@joshuagrizzel4246]

Hey man, I’ve seen you do video reviews on many Pixar films, it would be cool to see one on the UP movie

[@samjesse3818]

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

[@yolenda_loves_to_sing]

Same feeling that I had!!!!!!

[@dsan17]

The actual composer probably has no idea either other than it sounded cool when he was making it.

[@yolenda_loves_to_sing]

@@dsan17 Yea, I wonder if he had any idea too. LOL

[@MrLemonGrahb]

Dude, your brain and ears understand. But not you.

[@mash9415]

"i like your funny words magic man"

[@rome8180]

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.

[@handznet]

The strings are super catchy. It’s definitely one of the best. I also have 1000 miles up above there as well

[@bishopchalik8561]

Check out how many writers is took to make this song.

[@Silverset_]

It’s up there with “Can’t Get You Out of My Head”

[@rayellebishop8168]

@@bishopchalik8561 More than Lady Gaga’s but Lady Gaga’s Rain On Me is almost up there.

[@mpofc]

@@Silverset_ and they have the songwriter Cathy Dennis in common :)

[@SMFortissimo]

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.

[@kickthejetengine]

Heck yes. You basically described Richard Cheese

[@cooldebt]

On Spotify there's a Bossa n Britney album - one of the tunes came on in a BGM playlist and I recognised the lyrics - but otherwise, I would not have known it was Britney's 'Overprotected' (there's also a cover of Toxic). It's very listenable.

[@animatedintrovert6256]

Postmodern Jukebox covered toxic!

[@thewhim8151]

I don't think people would feel pranked, if it was done well people would dig it

[@Rubmaster]

@@thewhim8151 exactly! A good cover is a good song on its own.

[@SamuelDJCox]

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!

[@suerayss]

That mysterious sounding suspense type notes were stolen from a 1980 bollywood move song called Tere mere beech mein. Look it up. Its based on classicla indian raga to covey deep intense emotions musically. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZuZdHefmL5mhK8

[@silphv]

I don't know how I didn't hear that before but it really does sound like a Bond theme.

[@KristineMaitland]

​@@silphvSpecifically, Day another day by Madonna et al.

[@carlosfernandez3565]

You can perfectly picture this song being played at a classic night club where Bond is doing his spying, and an Etta James style singer is performing this song either with just a piano or a big band. Like you said this is esscentially a sexy soul song.

[@P-I-D-D-Y]

Just posted this below before buyt relevant here: Perhaps the James Bond connection could be because the classic 007 theme is also based on a pastiche of Indian classical music - Specifically "Bad Sign, Good sign", a song about a man with an unlucky sneeze.

[@NewFalconerRecords]

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.

[@TheSeeking2know]

Good point.

[@revangerang]

There's a lot of good tracks out there with similar flair, you just have to go beyond what they play on the radio

[@marcusmiro7481]

Was an obsessive pop person when this came out when I was in high school. I watched TRL daily. So, sadly, I knew this was just a one-off the whole time. The writing was on the wall that the path forward for pop was going to be something along the lines of Fergie (Nelly Furtado hadn't gone full pop yet,) and there was a lot of drama at her label during this time since the lead single (Me Against the Music) flopped *extremely* hard, and there was a huge push to make I Got That Boom Boom the second single. Britney herself really wanted to Toxic to be the second single, and this was like the one singular time in her life she had a lot of agency in her career, so she succeeded. Best decision she ever made considering it's her signature song now.

[@biffskywalker4589]

You'll hear it more in R&B from this era

[@anitabonghit2758]

What about Beyonce's naughty girl, and kelly roland's Work. They had middle eastern influences

[@komiik]

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

[@kaan_bey]

I read treat as threat for a second and somehow it still made sense

[@cooldebt]

@@kaan_bey 😂

[@cooldebt]

This is why Charles is so good at what he does - he's not narrow in his listening. We are the beneficiaries of his encyclopaedic knowledge!

[@TheUnderscore_]

@@kaan_bey Threat to our boredom

[@Jack-er1sc]

666 likes... I'm so sorry dude /j

[@kevinpetroff5486]

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.

[@viking5736]

It sounds so young but yet so developed at the same time.

[@judas1523]

her vocal type is also very rare. it’s soft but can belt out. her song sometimes really shows it off very well i think

[@DJ_Force]

@@viking5736 I think that is her image as a whole. It's the sexuality mature yet innocent woman.

[@NawiTheCore]

80% is not Britney singing it. The pre-chorus and chorus is sung by the song's writer Cathy Dennis.

[@janetpelletier1238]

It's soft and not breathy. That really makes me appreciate the song.

[@SallyGreenaway]

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 KZbin 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!)

[@fnjesusfreak]

And became a one-hit wonder in the US in her own right with a partial cover... 😜 (Wish's "Touch Me (All Night Long)", but she radically reworked it).

[@nathanferch5375]

@@fnjesusfreak a bit more than a one hit wonder in the US as far as I'm concerned, C'mon Get My Love and Just Another Dream were dancefloor fillers, and Too Many Walls was a solid electropop ballad.

[@richardemerson8075]

Yes! Came here to show respect for Cathy Dennis, she's done many great tunes over the years

[@EricLS]

Oh wow, that would be my trifecta of strangely good female pop songs. Makes sense.

[@tichu7]

I only knew Cathy Dennis from her 1990 song Too Many Walls... I had no idea she was still in the business.

[@melissaandreag]

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

[@amitclick99]

Music is copied from an indian song released back in 80s

[@darkyu3229]

@@amitclick99 good for them

[@SequentialCircuitProphet5]

This song makes me sleeping that's boring

[@catchr2]

@@amitclick99 only samples were taken.

[@thedorsinator]

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”.

[@iamkuma_music]

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

[@Deeem2031]

Easy to follow? I didn't understand a thing! I still love seeing his passion about stuff like this but I also think "Hey, maybe you are putting more thought into this than the one who wrote this music."

[@iamkuma_music]

@@Deeem2031 😂 okay maybe «easy to follow» is a bit of a reach, but at least for me, and i’d say im at like an intermediate level when it comes to all of this!

[@everythingpizzaandknuckles6268]

Yesssss he taught me music theory

[@mviz2299]

I wish he could analise how groovy Toxic is, and how rhythmically cool it is. Harmony alone dont makes a song "the song".

[@theelectricant98]

He never claimed harmony alone makes it what it is, just an interesting part of it worth exploring ​@@mviz2299

[@corman36956]

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 🙃

[@joshuawalker301]

That ain't getting you no coochie, but it do get you some jazzy friends tho'.

[@caixiuying8901]

funny how retrograde inversion inside of a DAW is probably just a reverse clip button

[@arlyduran1510]

This is genuinely a super cool fun fact, what is different in a retrograde inversion of the lick and the actual lick itself?

[@johnp.5841]

If this kind of stuff isn't a hit when you go to parties, you're going to boring parties

[@salemsmith7085]

…. ok but if someone hit me with that info i would be instantly interested 👀

[@MrBeachMadness]

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.

[@KerloTech]

Thanks for mentioning this. I came to the comments to see if anyone would talk about the fact the samples and sounds are from Bollywood.

[@kwoodmansee]

I was really hoping to hear a breakdown on how the chord structures fit in (or not) with Indian/Bollywood music in general, and maybe if the original is as likeable as Toxic. Does Toxic add or take something away? Has it been changed specifically to make it more palatable to western audiences, or would western audiences like the original if more people were aware of it?

[@heartsDmise]

From my asian global pop history class, I learned that the guy who did those chords is indian and wanted to add that flair to the music!

[@pietateip]

ah already made a comment before I saw yours. this is it btw: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4m7hqKaoJKjjNE

[@RusNad]

@@kwoodmansee I will say that switching modes is like the essence of Arabic music (not sure about Indian music but that is also a very modal musical system) so the bridge does also add a sort of eastern flavour. Minor and Dorian are very common western modes though (not that it doesn't exist in other systems but it isn't really characteristically 'exotic').

[@hh7788ify]

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❤

[@gravelrhoads]

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.

[@sayno2globalism]

Same! GenX 80’s kid. Metal, doom, thrash, punk, and I love this song, IDGAF.

[@priyadeepchakraborty]

That acoustic guitar strums takes my heart And also the electric guitar lick

[@a.nobodys.nobody]

I'm even *more* elitist than that - free jazz and ethnographic field recordings! And yes, this is the origin of 'this song slaps'. Those slappy drums get this bawbag MOIST

[@gravelrhoads]

@@a.nobodys.nobody You get a thumbs up for making me look up ethnographic field recordings. And now I've learned something new today.

[@a.nobodys.nobody]

​@gravelrhoads so you knew what bawbag meant?! 😂 But in all seriousness, Check out Alan Lomax. A legend of the field. I'm partial to his recordings done in Spain, of Joseph Spence, as well as early blues and Appalachia. but all his stuff is a great way to travel to a different time and place. Enjoy

[@joshandallo2170]

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! :)

[@jaymiegill9506]

FACTS

[@jimmythebold589]

i was really hooked on the entire 'femme fatale' album. every track is a gem. ditto for 'blackout' and 'billie jean'.

[@NoFirstNoLastName]

@@albino_gringo1912 they are talking about her voice genius

[@mabatch3769]

The people that produced this song might be very talented, some might say brilliant. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t manufactured.

[@alvaroadrianrodriguezbarri5688]

WORD

[@POPPPUdane]

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

[@aadi.p4159]

How does a classically trained person analyse music? How is it dif from jazz

[@1oolabob]

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.

[@StuartQuinn]

To be fair, this version is still pretty good kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYPLZah-gKiLaKs

[@dadcelo]

Completely agree

[@laurajaneluvsbeauty9596]

That’s not what her voice really sounds like. She sings through her nose

[@ИванЗабалуев-ф7ц]

Check out the original version of the song by Cathy Dennis, who also wrote it actually. Britney hasn’t added as much to the song as you think.

[@oscargonzaloespinozasandov2206]

​@@ИванЗабалуев-ф7ц That demo proves the point: Danis has no soul. Britney has something. Listen to Britney's latest Toxic recording session that was recently leaked. There's danger in her voice, that's what the song is about and that's why it's an anthem.

[@tiffanypersaud3518]

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.

[@clover-il7tf]

These is such thought out remarks! Thank you for sharing

[@tsukiyumetan5362]

Dracula/ Burlesque is such a vibe!;-)🧛‍♀️💅🖤🖤🖤

[@dharmani_youtube]

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

[@BoWSkittlez]

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

[@ellenmarch3095]

That and 22-year-old Britney rolling around in nothing but glitter.

[@BoWSkittlez]

@@ellenmarch3095 okay that might also be a small part of why 😜😜

[@EXTENDEDWARRANT]

@@ellenmarch3095 when I was little id get really HAPPY when the video came on fuse

[@musichere3287]

There is no one reason, it's the whole package. But if I had to name one element, it would be the violin not the bass (which is great too)

[@CK-3K]

I haven’t payed as much attention to the bass cause the strings definitely steal the show, but yeah-the synth bass kills. It’s not often in pop that you hear the bass play so liberally with all those sliding notes. I think the bassline could use a video of its own!

[@zoomzabba452]

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

[@stephenhillier3522]

Have you seen this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmilm3lop8iYitk It's a great song, I say that as a rock fan.

[@lastnamefirstname8655]

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

[@pinkraven4402]

Yes, but I think it's just really cool when complex theory is used in a way that makes the song sound very natural, I think it's just very satisfying. People just should remember that theory and technique are tools, not goals to create music

[@miriam4235]

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

[@jeremywright9511]

Because "it's Britney bitch!" All that can be said-

[@daltonjones8591]

Yeah dude basically explained notes the whole time without any real explanation abt the influences, emotions, etc in the song. Like theres a very present Indian influence given the continuous transition between the notes.

[@grethi8110]

because it's good, hope that helps😂

[@lauraelizabethbrown]

I would say because it maintains a sophisticated, complex musical arrangement, while most modern pop songs are lame and use the same interchangeable 3-4 chords. Even a non-musican can hear it and even if they can't articulate it, they can tell there's something unique about it. And singing it makes you feel like a Bond villian which is pretty awesome.

[@crazypomp927]

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

[@coljderango7836]

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

[@cooldebt]

Also excellent is Scary Pockets with the incredible voice of Kenton Chen. Will check out your recommendation too. Edit: The scary string cover is very good!

[@highdefinition450]

But it's not as catchy :(

[@lexwithbub]

Such an awesome cover!

[@no1694]

@@cooldebt scary pockets is absolutely phenomenal i love them so much

[@davebadanoy8456]

Thats the reason I watch the movie!

[@MelissaHiatt]

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.

[@chuuisinsane]

you should also try looking at other songs that Bloodshy & Avant produced like "When You Look At Me" and "Snooze Ya Lose" by Christina Milian, "I'm Right Here" by Samantha Mumba, and "Chaotic" and "Mona Lisa" by Britney. also they've produced several kpop songs before like "Chocolate Love" by SNSD / f(x) and "Look Who's Talking" by BoA so if you like kpop you should check those out too

[@emerald3616]

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.

[@cafeplastique890]

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.

[@youremostwelcome]

Yep, and this is why Wyatt and Mark Ronson were able to do such a great rendition of it on ‘Version’.

[@beawriting]

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.

[@chazzbunn7811]

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.

[@Sad_King_Billy]

Toxic's bassline is perfection

[@a.a677]

yesss, I'm gonna learn it

[@sorcererCermet]

big demon days vibes

[@TheSeeking2know]

That baseline was also interacting with the rest of Music wrote interestingly. Would life to hear it played live.

[@paavobergmann4920]

@@a.a677 It´s not that hard, and super fun to play with the song playing in the background!!

[@sinisterdesign]

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

[@jadewolf1024]

Postmodern Jukebox got you covered (their whole channel is gold) : watch?v=ZILsHowUjpQ

[@drewtheunspoken3988]

@@jadewolf1024 I was going to say the same. Postmodern Jukebox needs to be bigger.

[@jadewolf1024]

@@drewtheunspoken3988 The unspoken speaks the truth!

[@Kwaark]

You can listen to Yaron Herman cover, amazing one

[@jadewolf1024]

@@Kwaark I liked it!

[@clinton6087]

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.

[@mrr5835]

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

[@sarameiragootblatt1819]

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.

[@lulumoon6942]

Thanks for this.

[@bartmannn6717]

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.

[@WigantX]

But now, let the entire internet know!

[@bartmannn6717]

@@WigantX Hahaha, you mean posting anonymously in the comment section of a professional musician, explaining why it's ok to like that song? ;) Anyway, it's been 19 years now, I'm old enough to not care about being or not being "cool", when it comes to music genres.

[@cooldebt]

Yep, it has always been a guilty pleasure ;)

[@qwertyzxaszc6323]

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!

[@crosion5]

Same. I listen to classical and baroque music, early rock, some later rock. Early Jazz. When Toxic comes on my playlist nobody can believe it. Hey, I don't care who makes it or when it is from. If it is good music, I'll listen to it.

[@obscurity3027]

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!

[@nairazak_art]

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

[@neilomac]

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

[@drewtheunspoken3988]

I didn't know Cathy Dennis wrote this. That makes it even better.

[@Magnus_Loov]

Well no. She is only credited for additional writing. The original song writers were Blodshy and avant. Two Swedish guys. This is mainly a Swedish production taking place in Stockholm with some additional stuff done in LA by Cathy. As so many of the pop songs around the millenium were....

[@lotsagold]

i would love to hear a full jazz arangement of toxic

[@Garrett_Swanger]

Scott Bradlee did a stride cover: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXWnnY2qpr6fn7s

[@adamdurbin3801]

See if you like this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3qYcmxsbtt9jNU

[@jld4063]

Came here to say this! I need this in my life!

[@Str0b0]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHqvpHulrLqdprM

[@phoenix175]

not quite jazz but postmodern jukebox have done a wonderful cover of toxic in a 1930s style kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHqvpHulrLqdprM

[@dkintheuk]

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.

[@Rachel-cp8jf]

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.

[@figloalds]

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

[@ub678]

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

[@hyrdefar554]

Title?

[@jengsheng3588]

They haven't actually used the sample in the actual song, they replayed it.

[@DerekHartley]

@@jengsheng3588 It's literally a resampled version of the original. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4m7hqKaoJKjjNE

[@JishinimaTidehoshi]

@@hyrdefar554 Song title is > Tere Mere Beech Mein I learnt from another comment 🤣🤣🤣

[@AT-rr2xw]

@@hyrdefar554kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4m5gH6bpZqtm7c

[@JulesStoop]

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.

[@unvergebeneid]

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.

[@joshandallo2170]

I've always been an admirer of her music. I'm glad that people are coming around with Britney; she wasn't some manufactured pop star. She totally knew what she was doing, and she is very musically astute. (And while Toxic objectively slaps, I will come out saying that "Gimme More" is the best Britney song of all time.)

[@TRFAD]

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".

[@matsv201]

Search for "flat pack music from swedeb" and you will find a documentary that explains how it all os tied together.

[@joelecho]

Top 5 pop songs of all time. I've pulled this song out at band gigs where you wouldn't expect it and we've yet to meet a crowd that doesn't love it. There are people who love this song, and people who won't admit they love this song.

[@calebwebb1246]

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.

[@RusNad]

Well I mean in traditional jazz you would usually introduce the chord structure in a straightforward melodic way before elaborating on it like Charles, but to each his own of course.

[@cooldebt]

One of my favourite covers is funk kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmGXXp6pmteUmqM

[@babsdiamond]

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 🙂

[@MichaelLagerstedt]

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

[@dazedneptune]

Postmodern Jukebox has a cover of this song that sounds perfectly Bond-like.

[@MichaelLagerstedt]

@@dazedneptune Thanks for the tip. Just checked it out. Great Sean Connery era version… 😉

[@rpavlik1]

Dove Cameron - Boyfriend has a similar feel (as in, electro pop song that could be Bond music)

[@mags9024]

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.

[@tbray]

i love that that lovely string noise is actually a sample of "Tere Mere Beech Mein", from the soundtrack of the 1981 Bollywood film Ek Duuje Ke Liye.

[@drsetherz]

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

[@FarzynoMusic]

Bloodshy is also in the EDM duo Galantis

[@demitrithelwell6935]

@@FarzynoMusic that's amazing! I love Galantis

[@symondealmeida9454]

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

[@ericthefree]

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???

[@erinblackirish]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKKXoJSEfNSYeNU

[@joshuasy1276]

Bro you're right lol,

[@jvcrules]

Not a mashup but your comment reminded me of this cover on the style of SOAD kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaS8oX9rrrOJisk

[@vulpinedesert8579]

And toxicity is just a tad better

[@astonw]

Looks like some people have tried it with the Toxic instrumental and Toxicity vocals: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYGmqJ6QgK-UZpo and with the Toxicity instrumental with Toxic vocals: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKKXoJSEfNSYeNU

[@michaelbonesmusic]

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

[@koli0842]

I have absolutely no clue what you've bee saying throughout the entire video, like it felt like my university math classes all over again. Except such enthusiasm and practical demonstration made it so much fun to watch. I was not even 10 when this was on the tv and radio, yet I so clearly recall it as a song from my childhood

[@pqwho]

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

[@kelseyf2619]

Yes its sooo good!

[@apxutekctypa]

Ah, a man of culture

[@kasramohajery4623]

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

[@RetroRespawn]

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

[@youtubestyle293]

Yes I am here for Cathy! I love her. I am surprised no one knows. In fact on youtube there is the original demo which is almost the same

[@handznet]

@@youtubestyle293 yep. The demo is awesome. She is great

[@cooldebt]

I always associate Cathy Dennis with C'mon and Get My Love - still love the synth bass in house music and the hits on keys that give that classic house sound

[@pianohugo69420]

And produced by Greg Kurstin. He is THE secret sauce on this track. Chordal mastermind

[@sg8191]

I think the song and her role in the video suited her perfectly. With this song, she proved that she could excel even in a more mature phase of her career. It’s no coincidence that, while many might not be fans of Britney, they still respect her here, and the song appeals to them too. She set the bar very high for herself with this career moment. Whatever she did afterward was always compared to this and fell short. I miss the time when artists were truly passionate about what they did. Today, everything revolves around social media rather than the music itself.

[@DOMusicOfficial]

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

[@kt-nc1uw]

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!

[@kt-nc1uw]

@@djungelskog3434 we love djungelskog in this house !!

[@shanjezi]

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.

[@astrolopitekos]

My friends know me as someone that listens and loves really aggressive and weird music. They typically get puzzled when I say Toxic is one of my favorite songs ever. The glee version is super addictive! Thanks for this :-) loved it

[@yolenda_loves_to_sing]

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

[@kaylasilverstein4137]

Ok but that little bit you played at 5:00 I could loop that ALL DAY LONG. It’s like a massage for my ears

[@jason.h]

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

[@BhbtheRock]

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

[@johvanortiz6267]

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!

[@TheDreamingFlame]

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

[@ieonorb7432]

The way I don't understand what's being said to me but it's my favorite video cause toxic sounds sooooooooo good played on piano and the enthusiasm he's speaking with is chef's kiss

[@weareouter]

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.

[@davidmorris8319]

With all respect, that doesn't make his harmonic and melodic analysis wrong. And he didn't claim that's all the reasons why the song is great. He just provided an analysis of aspects of the song that contribute to its greatness.

[@michaelbarker6460]

Yeah of course, there's a lot more that goes into a pop song than just harmony and melody. But as a pianist that's what you're limited to use to recreate any song.

[@jeff__w]

“sampled from a Bollywood soundtrack, look it up” *Tracklib* Sample Breakdown: Britney Spears - Toxic

[@Imxel21]

It’s not rare at all you’re just biased towards pop music

[@AquosFrost]

Good harmony and bad production is better than bad harmony and good production.

[@JeremyScottReinbolt]

You missed one tiny but awesome detail. At the end of the B section it shifts from G7 to Db7, or more accurately the 5th is omitted from both dominant 7 chords so only the bass note has to change to achieve the new chord. I DO love this song.

[@Nexando]

Ooh!

[@leparraindufromage366]

I love Toxic, there are quite a bunch of Indie/Alternative Rock covers to this, Local H, The BossHoss and Walk Off the Earth come to mind. Even Children of Bodom, what I would consider an extreme Metal band, love Britney, they did a cover of Oops, I Did It Again IIRC XD

[@jespertobiassen9668]

CoB did Oops, I did it again, correct. 🤘🏻

[@HeyLetsDoAThing]

And on the flip side, Post Modern Jukebox does a great reimagining as a big band jazz number

[@CeliacChemist]

I love the Surfragette's instrumental surf version!

[@clintcommander]

BossHoss! Yes! There version of Word Up is one of my favorites.

[@rome8180]

Nickel Creek also covered it in a more bluegrass style. Also, years ago I heard this Brazilian man and woman duo covering it in a jazzy bossanova style. Unfortunately, I've never been able to track it down since. Believe me, I've searched every possible word combination. It was hauntingly beautiful and possibly the only cover I've preferred to the original.

[@raisingamind]

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. 🙏🏼🌎💖

[@ianhaymton]

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

[@amazingak82]

Britney's most legendary work never gets old

[@timlarsson]

I'm not ashamed to say I really liked this song back when it was released. Wasn't a fan of Britney in general, but this song was always nice to listen to. I knew it was something special about it, but could never pinpoint it. Well, until now!

[@roquepardal]

I've never been ashamed of loving this song!

[@paulmuaddib451]

As I've grown up musically I've realized that *tons* of late 90s/early 2000s pop does this; honestly, I'd love to see you explore some others that do the same.

[@Pip8448]

6:10 it sounded like a dreamy noir: a little sad, a little hopeful, determined to help/quiet hero. 6:25 it sounded angry, determined, searching for something, at the end of it's rope not willing to give up, and a little dark. Possible, but difficult. 11:13 Creepy mansion of an evil genius in the rain/final boss fight with the mastermind behind all your troubles (in the rain/storm). Love the break down! Thank you!

[@TheSeeking2know]

Probably one of the best pop songs ever in terms of harmonic composition.

[@dixiomario]

Dude you just explained my method to find a key using relative intervals in LIKE 2 MINUTES discussing Toxic by Britney Spears.. you are my hero.

[@captweirdbeard]

I'm not really into pop or Britney, but I always dug this song. Now I know why! As for video suggestions, please do one on Japanese jazz fusion band Casiopea. Basically video game music before video games and it's glorious.

[@slofff2784]

the best part of this song to me is the chorus, where some sort of symbol is used in the far left of the ear. carries the chorus in such a subtle way but its perfect

[@AudiMok]

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.

[@geckowizard]

He puts everything into a jazz context - he probably doesn't even know Bollywood exists.

[@Jersey1971]

Exactly! Cathy Dennis is a world famous song writer and also a great singer it's Cathy's song NOT Britney song!

[@rebeccahart]

I always knew this song is iconic because every cover I’ve heard of toxic is excellent. Meaning, anyone can sing this song and it bangs.

[@MrGreenAKAguci00]

There are even instrumental jazz cover of this song.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

People at the end of 2019: 2020 is gonna be an amazing start to a new decade People at the end of 2020: The only toxic we need is Toxic by Britney Spears People at the end of 2021: ...let's try that again 2022: *HAHAHA NO* I lived my whole life to see Charles play a jazz rendition of Toxic. Anyone who says they don’t like this song, are lying

[@pleasegoawaydude]

I'm not lying. The music is fantastic, but I don't enjoy listening to it. The mix hurts my ears.

[@swanronson173]

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.

[@mosquitopyjamas9048]

I was a big rocker kid back then, metal and grunge and very anti pop but this song was one of the rare gems that broke thru that shield. Absolutely banger and a classic

[@Richard_Jones]

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

[@shaggycan]

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.

[@geckowizard]

That's true. The producer(s) and singer will usually rework a song quite a lot to make it fit into the singer's style, or bring it more in alignment with the album it's due to appear on, but in this case, Britney just replaced Holmgren's vocal and the rest was given a bit of a polish, even to the extent that Dennis' and Holmgren's backing vocals were kept as they were.

[@Rawla2]

I have to disagree. While Dennis sings the song well, Britney adds so much more. Between her sexy purrs and growls to her flawless head voice no one makes toxic sound better. Britney may not have the biggest range but the way she sings has always been more favorable than her belting peers

[@Jayjee762]

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 :)

[@michaelcaprarola6716]

I used to play this song at my solo piano residency. Loved playing it and everyone would always perk up when I did. I liked playing the pre chorus going up and octave and going to Gmin and then Adim/G whenever it hits the A in the melody. Also liked going to Db7b5 instead of Db7 in the chorus, I really liked the way that chord worked with the melody, it gives it some nice tension. Also…the chorus melody has a lot of notes that “shouldn’t work” over the harmony that is happening but they do, like “You’re toxic, I’m slipping under” is all G and C I think but it’s repeating over D7 and Db7 which played in isolation will sound a little clashy. Same with the “but I know that you’re toxic” has that blues b5 (F# in this key) over G7 which has F natural. So glad you highlighted this song, it’s truly a great!!

[@djdrwatson]

Tracklib here on KZbin fully explain and breakdown how the original sample was chopped up to make 'Toxic'. Search for: *Sample Breakdown: Britney Spears - Toxic*

[@pinkajou656]

Wow! I will check that out, thanks!

[@hickorydickoryhk]

Awesome share there and awesome KZbin channel introduction, you’ll start with the Toxic video and fall down a rabbit hole 🕳 🐇 listening to a bunch of their other videos because they’re all so short and to the point. Thanks for the info!

[@MedlifeCrisis]

Tracklib is one of my favourite channels, so good