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How a Live-Tracked Riff From a 1981 Bollywood Film Became One of the Most Iconic Pop Intros of the 2000s

Christian Karlsson, aka Galantis, is who we can thank for the timeless classic that is Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’.

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Britney Spears’ iconic 2003 track “Toxic” is a staple of early 2000s pop culture. It’s remained a beloved song for more than 20 years, and one element in particular has helped sustain it. The intro, in particular, along with the overall South Asian influences in the composition. Fans have Christian Karlsson to thank for finding it. But many might know him better as Galantis.

Karlsson co-wrote “Toxic” as one half of the songwriting duo Bloodshy & Avant with Pontus Winnberg. He also penned hits for Katy Perry and Madonna, but under the now-solo moniker Galantis, he built a die-hard following since 2012. Speaking with Music Radar in October 2026, Karlsson shared details of “Toxic” in its early stages. Specifically, how it all formed around a hook from a........

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