"
Toxic" is a song recorded by American singer
Britney Spears for her fourth studio album,
In the Zone (2003). It was written and produced by Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg (known collectively as
Bloodshy & Avant), with additional writing from
Cathy Dennis and
Henrik Jonback. The song released on January 13, 2004, by
Jive Records, as the second single from the album. After trying to choose between "(I Got That) Boom Boom" and "
Outrageous" to be the second single from
In the Zone, Spears selected "Toxic" instead. A
dance-pop song with
electropop influences, "Toxic" features varied instrumentation, such as
drums,
synthesizers and
surf guitar. It is accompanied by high-pitched
Bollywood strings and breathy vocals. Its lyrics draw an
extended metaphor of a lover as a dangerous yet addictive drug. The song has received critical acclaim by music critics, who deemed it as the strongest track of
In the Zone and praised its hook and chorus.