Taylor Swift Unveils New Toy Story 5 Track, Calling It Both a Fresh Direction and a Return to Her Roots
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Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
Pop icon Taylor Swift debuted her new song, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” on Friday, June 5. To mark the release, she posted a nostalgic throwback video featuring herself in a cowgirl outfit.
Taylor Swift has unveiled a brand-new original song for the next installment of the Toy Story franchise, titled “I Knew It, I Knew You,” while embracing a sound that reflects her country music beginnings.
The 36-year-old singer released the track on Friday, June 5, and marked the occasion by posting a nostalgic childhood video on Instagram. In the clip, a young Swift, sporting curly hair, happily parades around a room dressed in a cowgirl-inspired outfit featuring a red-and-white shirt, a denim skirt with matching trim, white tights, cowboy boots, and a coordinating cowboy hat.
Reflecting on the experience, Swift shared that creating the song felt both unfamiliar and deeply familiar at the same time. She explained that writing music for the character Jessie presented a fresh creative opportunity while also feeling surprisingly natural. She also expressed her lifelong affection for the Toy Story series, noting that she has been a fan since childhood and remains connected to its sense of adventure.
Swift thanked filmmaker Andrew Stanton, who wrote and directed Toy Story 5, for selecting her to contribute to the project. She also praised legendary composer Randy Newman, whose songs and scores have helped define the musical identity of the franchise over the years. According to Swift, Newman’s work created the beloved world of Toy Story that audiences continue to enjoy today.
The song was written alongside longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff. Swift said the pair approached the project with great affection for the characters, whose stories entertained them and inspired their imaginations throughout their younger years. She concluded her announcement by celebrating the release of “I Knew It, I Knew You” and sharing her excitement with fans.
The single arrives shortly after Swift officially revealed the project on June 1 following widespread speculation. At that time, she also unveiled the cover artwork, which featured a bohemian Western aesthetic and highlighted her natural curls.
The release represents Swift’s first new music since her twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, arrived in October 2025.
When announcing the song, Swift explained that she had always hoped to write music for the Toy Story characters she grew up loving. She revealed that after viewing an early version of Toy Story 5, she immediately felt inspired and began writing the song as soon as she returned home. The track was made available for pre-order ahead of its June 5 release, while the film is scheduled to arrive in theaters on June 19.
In a statement, Stanton praised Swift’s contribution, saying her understanding of Jessie and the character’s emotional journey was evident from the start. He added that the song felt so naturally connected to the Toy Story universe that it seemed as though it had always been part of the franchise, describing the collaboration as a perfect match.
