The writing credit for the song is Malakian/Odadjian/Tankian. The music video for the song was directed by bassist Shavo Odadjian. It was shot in Los Angeles, California, and featured people living on the streets of the city displayed on the band members' torsos as if there was a movie projector displaying the scenes on them. Malakian is also wearing a Los Angeles Kings hockey jersey for most of the video with his last name on the back of his shirt. The final part of the song in the video is reminiscant of the final part of the video for the song Mouth for War by the band Pantera.
Although it never achieved the mainstream success of "Chop Suey!" and "B.Y.O.B.", Toxicity remains one of System of a Down's most popular songs among fans. The song was ranked #14 on VH1's 40 Greatest Metal Songs [1].
