It is official. Taylor Swift has written and recorded an original song for Toy Story 5, titled “I Knew It, I Knew You.” Disney and Pixar confirmed the news today, and it is one of the biggest entertainment crossovers in recent memory.
The song was written and produced by Swift alongside her longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff. It releases Friday, June 5, just weeks before Toy Story 5 opens in theaters on June 19.
What The Song Is About
“I Knew It, I Knew You” was written specifically for Jessie, the cowgirl toy voiced by Joan Cusack who has been part of the Toy Story universe since Toy Story 2. According to Disney’s official press release, the song marks a return to Swift’s country roots, blending styles that have defined her record-breaking career as a songwriter and artist.
Swift wrote the song immediately after seeing an early screening of the film. She shared on Instagram: “I’ve always dreamed of getting to write for these characters who I’ve adored since I was a 5 year old kid watching the first Toy Story movie. I fell instantly in love with Toy Story 5 when I was lucky enough to see it in its early stages, and I wrote this song as soon as I got home from the screening. Sometimes you just know, right?”
Toy Story 5 director Andrew Stanton spoke about the collaboration in glowing terms. He said Swift’s connection to Jessie and her understanding of what the character was going through was immediate and undeniable, and that on first listen the song felt like it had always belonged in the Toy Story universe. He described the pairing as kismet.
Bob Iger Heard It Before Stepping Down
In a memorable moment, outgoing Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed that he met with Taylor Swift to hear the song in one of his final days leading the company. Iger posted about the experience, writing “Thank you Taylor! One of my last days as CEO of Disney and a truly memorable one.” It is a fitting sendoff for a CEO who spent more than a decade steering Disney through some of its most significant cultural moments.
How To Pre-Order And When To Listen
“I Knew It, I Knew You” releases everywhere on Friday, June 5. Three exclusive CD editions are available for pre-order now through Taylor Swift’s official store: the standard version as it appears in the film, a special acoustic version, and a special piano version, each with unique vocals and production. The full Toy Story 5 soundtrack releases alongside the film on June 19.
Given Swift’s massive global fanbase and the built-in Toy Story audience, this is shaping up to be one of the most-streamed songs of the summer.
