In the last few years, anyone following the news will know that Britney Spears has returned to the public eye. After finally ending her father’s highly controversial conservatorship in late 2021, Britney made a soft come-back with her incredible remix of Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer.” Titled “Hold Me Closer,” the track was almost universally well received, and it’s led to something of a Britneyssance amongst fans.
For this week’s flashback track, we wanted to take a closer look at another iconic Britney song and an outstanding dance remix.
Toxic (2003)
If you weren’t around in 2003, then you probably can’t imagine how big Britney Spears was. She was everywhere – always on TV, the radio, always playing in clubs – and this song was one of her biggest-ever hits.
The track charted internationally, hitting number one across over a dozen charts and blowing all expectations out of the part. To this day, the song is still an easy go-to crowd-pleaser for DJs worldwide, and, to be frank, it’s not hard to see why.
“Toxic” is endlessly catchy – a fast, inventive kaleidoscope of sound that, twenty years on, still feels just as original today as it did then. In the years since it’s become her most iconic track. When people think of Britney Spears, they think of this song.
Lenny Bertoldo
Lenny Bertoldo (also known as Lenny B) has quite the catalog as club mixes go. From Jessica Simpson to none other than Cher, Lenny B has worked with some iconic artists to create unique, unforgettable club-style remixes, but by far, his most famous is his take on “Toxic.”
Sitting at just over five minutes long, the Bertoldo remix is surprisingly stripped back, starting with just the beat and building up to the full Britney magic. As a single, it might not have the same kind of instant electric energy as the original, but it hits the spot for a dance track.
If you want to learn the differences between traditional disco-pop and club dance music, this is the perfect place to start. Placing the two tracks alongside each other, it’s easy to see where the different artists’ priorities lie. The original is all about that catchy hook, about getting the song into your head so you keep coming back. Meanwhile, the Bertoldo remix is all about the experience. It’s about that slow build, bringing in more and more elements until you’re fully immersed in that iconic Britney sound.
Released initially alongside remixes by Armand Van Helden and Felix Da Housecat, this version stands out to this day as a perfect balance of the club sound and Britney’s iconic style. All in all, if you’re a true blue Britney fan and you’ve not heard this track before, then you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not giving it a listen.
