Toxic music video analysis

1. Britney Spears – Toxic music video analysis
Lyrics
The lyrics for the song Toxic highlight that Britney is growing into a woman. The lyrics
are full of sexual references and references to possible drug use. – “I need a hit, baby
give me it”. She was previously part of Disney so these explicit lyrics suggest that her
Disney career is now in the past and at the age of 21, Britney is now ready to live an
adult life. Her fan base would have been moving into their teens at the time so the
lyrics may represent their own explorations of sex and drugs.
Music
Toxic is a high tempo dance track which Britney is famous for. The fast tempo of the
song could represent the fast pace of Britney’s life and the transition from childhood
into adulthood.
Genre/mise en scene
There is an emphasis on the dance and movement in the video as it is a pop song,
fitting the conventions of a pop music video. Britney is famous for her dancing so
movements such as raising her leg over the laser trap when escaping emphasises her
talent and satisfies her fans expectations of the dance choreography. The sexual
dance moves in her video highlight her growing up into an adult.
The costumes used are typical of a female pop star. The skin tight nude body suit and
leather black body suit emphasise Britney’s body and sex appeal. The black suit is
slashed to show her midriff. The contrast of blonde and red hair shows variety in the
video and keeps the view entertained. This also could suggest that Britney can
change her appearance whenever she wants to keep up with the changing music
industry.

2. The main theme for her music video is freedom. The opening shot of two birds flying
are symbolic of Britney’s desire to escape and be free from
the image she has created of herself, later being confirmed
by her breakdown due to the pressures of fame being too
much for her. Her videos mirror her desire to escape from
the world of fame and the regular costume and appearance
changes represent how she wants to escape from the
manufactured image that has been created of her. The
audience may relate to Britney as they want to escape from the pressures of school
and the expectations of them.
Camerawork
Britney is the main focus of the music video. She is always the star attraction of the
music video, reached through many close ups and mid shots. Long shots used are to
show off her body and dancing skills, still making Spears the main attraction of the
video. Britney’s back up dancers do not have many shots on them and the focus is on
Britney throughout the music video, selling the ‘product’.
Editing
The editing in the music video is rapid mirroring the fast pace of the song ‘Toxic’. The
rapid editing could represent the rapid changes in Britney’s life and the fast pace of
the ever changing music industry. The editing fits the conventions of a pop music
video.
Intertextuality
Britney’s near naked body suit worn in the video could have been inspired by the
Holly Valence video for ‘Kiss Kiss’. A programme that was popular in 2003 called Alias
starred a young female international spy who dressed up in different disguises. One
of her famous looks was very similar to Britney’s red hair and black body suit
disguise, possibly influenced by the character.
Narrative/Performance
The main narrative of the music video is Britney playing a spy who will go to any
lengths to reach her goals, including using her sexuality. This narrative could
represent Britney’s real desire to escape the pressures of the music industry, no
matter what it takes. The main performance is the close ups and lip synching of
Britney, also very commonly found in pop music videos so fitting the codes and
conventions. She is also able to use performative elements in the music video where

3. she is able to show off her dancing skills which are one of her main selling points for
her fans.
Star image/Brand
Britney’s selling points are the way she looks (her body), her connection to younger
people and her desire to escape. The video for Toxic demonstrates all of these selling
points as there is many close ups of Britney’s face and body and she wears revealing
costumes. The lyrics to the video connect her to young people as they can relate to
the lyrics and her desire to escape.
Voyeurism/Looking
The video conforms to the male gaze of Mulvey’s teaching. Britney is the focus of the
video and she is sexualised as something to be looked at and admired. Close ups of
Britney’s body throughout the video highlight the pop music industries desire to sell
sexuality to a younger audience.