Toxic Till the End

"Toxic Till the End"
Promotional graphic
Single by Rosé
from the album Rosie
Released	6 December 2024 (2024-12-06)
Studio	Glenwood Place Recording (Burbank)
Genre	Emo-pop power-pop
Length	2:37
Label	The Black Label Atlantic
Songwriter(s)	Rosé Michael Pollack Emily Warren Evan Blair
Producer(s)	Evan Blair
Rosé singles chronology
"Number One Girl" (2024) "Toxic Till the End" (2024)
Music video
"Toxic Till the End" on YouTube

"Toxic Till the End" is a song by New Zealand and South Korean singer Rosé. It was released on 6 December 2024 through The Black Label and Atlantic Records as the third single from her debut studio album Rosie (2024). It was written by Rosé, Michael Pollack, Emily Warren, and Evan Blair, who also produced the track. It has been described as an emo-pop and power-pop single blending guitars and synths with emotionally raw lyrics.

Inspired by Rosé's past relationship, the song was originally titled "The Ex" before being renamed to emphasise its themes. The accompanying music video directed by Ramez Silyan, features Rosé and actor Evan Mock in a toxic love story filmed at Old Westbury Gardens, New York. It portrays a relationship inspired by Gilmore Girls, blending romantic moments with dramatic confrontations. The song achieved success, peaking at number four on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart and number 15 on the Billboard Global 200, as well as in the top ten in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, and New Zealand. The song also topped the New Zealand Hot Singles Chart.

Background and promotion

On 18 October 2024, Rosé released "Apt.", a collaboration with American singer Bruno Mars, as the lead single from her upcoming debut studio album, Rosie. The song was a commercial success and peaked atop the Billboard Global 200 and various charts worldwide, while entering the top ten on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. She followed with the album's second single "Number One Girl" on 22 November. On 4 December, Rosé announced "Toxic Till the End" as the third single to be released alongside the album on 6 December. An accompanying teaser poster for the single was released depicting a man running after the singer in a garden, followed by a second teaser photo of the two sitting by a fireplace and affectionately looking at one another.

Composition and lyrics

"Toxic Till the End" has been described to be an emo pop and power pop track infused with guitars and "bubbling synths". Stylistically, the song has been musically likened to Avril Lavigne and Taylor Swift, especially in comparison to the latter's melodic structures and songwriting narratives.

Thematically, the song reflects the turbulence of a toxic on-again, off-again relationship, drawing from Rosé's personal experiences. It has been noted to depict Rosé as both the victim and a willing participant in the "cycle of frustration". Originally titled "The Ex", the song was inspired by a former lover who had become such a frequent topic of discussion for Rosé that they became known as "the ex" among her friends. In an interview with Apple Music's The Zane Lowe Show, Rosé shared that the track was the result of her need to gain closure about the experience, stating: "We've talked about the ex a bit too much, it's about time that we write a song called 'the ex'." Ultimately, however, the song's title was later changed to "Toxic Till the End" since it was considered to be the "better punchline".

Critical reception

Writing for Clash, Robin Murray positively labeled "Toxic Till the End" as a song of escape that "bursts with energy". Jeff Benjamin of Billboard ranked it at number one in his album review, praising its emotional depth, power-pop production, and mainstream appeal. He highlighted its "buoyancy" despite its "destructive details," calling it a moment in Rosé's solo journey where she steps out of her place in Blackpink to fully embrace her individuality.

Commercial performance

"Toxic Till the End" debuted at number six on the Billboard Global Excl. US with 50.4 million streams and 4,000 sold outside the US. With this, Rosé achieved two concurrent songs in the top ten, as her previous single "Apt." simultaneously charted at number one. It marked her third total solo top-ten hit on the chart, ahead of bandmate Jisoo's one and behind Jennie and Lisa's four each.

Live performances

On 11 December 2024, Rosé performed a live band medley of the song and "Apt." on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Music video

A screenshot from the music video shows Rosé facing Evan Mock by a lit fireplace inside Old Westbury Gardens.

Directed by Ramez Silyan, the music video for the single was released on 6 December. Filmed at Old Westbury Gardens in Long Island, New York, it features Rosé alongside American actor Evan Mock. Drawing inspiration from Gilmore Girls, the cinematic video tells a toxic love story between the two characters, culminating in a bitter and dramatic conclusion. At the start, pink-haired Mock flags down Rosé's car on a country road after his bicycle tire blows out. She is intrigued and gives him a ride, which leads into a rom-com montage of the couple's happy early days, including scenes of them chasing each other through the gardens of a large estate, sharing a tender fireside snuggle, and her signing his cast after he wipes out on his skateboard. However, problems grow in the relationship, with Rosé noticing when Mock covers his phone to conceal a text from her. Angered, she attempts to leave but burns out in her car. The couple's back-and-forth dynamic continues to alternate between adoring embraces and annoyed shoving, becoming dangerous as Rosé knocks him into a statue. Although the messy couple appear to make up again, Rosé reveals their chance encounter at the start was, in fact, premeditated.

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Rosie.

Recording

• Recorded at Glenwood Place Recording (Burbank, California)
• Mixed at MixStar Studios (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
• Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City)

Personnel

• Rosé – vocals, songwriter, executive producer
• Emily Warren – songwriter
• Michael Pollack – songwriter
• Evan Blair – songwriter, producer
• Teddy Park – co-executive producer
• Serban Ghenea – mix engineer
• Bryce Bordone – assistant mix engineer
• Chris Gehringer – mastering
• Will Quinnell – mastering

Charts

Chart performance for "Toxic Till the End"

Chart (2024)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)	31
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)	54
Global 200 (Billboard)	15
Greece International (IFPI)	95
Hong Kong (Billboard)	2
Indonesia (Billboard)	13
Japan (Japan Hot 100)	54
Japan Streaming (Oricon)	43
Malaysia (Billboard)	3
Malaysia International (RIM)	3
MENA (IFPI)	17
New Zealand Aotearoa Singles (RMNZ)	3
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)	1
Philippines (Philippines Hot 100)	11
Saudi Arabia (IFPI)	19
Singapore (RIAS)	2
South Korea (Circle)	4
Taiwan (Billboard)	2
UAE (IFPI)	19
UK Singles (OCC)	72
US Billboard Hot 100	90

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Toxic Till the End"

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
Various	6 December 2024	Digital download streaming	The Black Label Atlantic