Taylor Swift Announces New Single For ‘Toy Story 5’ Soundtrack
“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,” the Grammy-winning artist shares in the official announcement.
Courtesy of @taylorswift
Courtesy of @taylorswift
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Taylor Swift returns to her country roots with the release of “I Knew It, I Knew You,” an original song appearing on the Toy Story 5 soundtrack, releasing on June 5, 2026.
The track, co-written by Swift and Jack Antonoff, continues their partnership after their most recent collaboration with the Grammy-winning artist’s 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department.
Additionally, the song comes with three exclusive CD editions: the standard version that appears in the film, an acoustic rendition, and a special piano version that features unique vocals and production. The CDs start shipping on June 19, coinciding with the film’s North American release.
“I Knew It, I Knew You” is inspired by the journey of the character of Jessie, which started with her first appearance in Toy Story 2.
“It’s incredible just how meaningful it’s been having Taylor write and perform this song. Her connection to Jessie and the immediate way she understood what the character was going through was undeniable,” shares Toy Story 5 director and screenwriter Andrew Stanton, in an official statement.
“The song is so deeply connected to ‘Toy Story.’ So much so that on first listen, it instantly felt like it had always belonged there, like a long-lost family member. It was kismet,” he adds.
Before the official announcement, the song was teased through a series of “TS” billboards across major cities such as Los Angeles, Mexico City, London, and Chicago, which built the anticipation for a collaboration between Swift and the beloved animated franchise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Taylor Swift’s contribution to the Toy Story 5 soundtrack is “I Knew It, I Knew You,” an original song co-written with longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff. The country-leaning track is inspired by Jessie, a character who first appeared in Toy Story 2, and releases June 5, 2026.
Jack Antonoff is a Grammy-winning producer and songwriter who has collaborated with Taylor Swift across multiple album cycles. Their most recent joint project before this soundtrack contribution was Swift’s 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department.
Three CD editions of “I Knew It, I Knew You” are available: the standard version as heard in the film, an acoustic rendition, and a special piano version with distinct vocals and production. All editions begin shipping June 19, 2026, coinciding with the film’s North American release.
“I Knew It, I Knew You” was inspired by Jessie, the cowgirl toy who debuted in Toy Story 2. Director Andrew Stanton has stated that Swift’s understanding of Jessie’s emotional journey informed both the writing and performance of the track.
The collaboration was teased through a series of “TS”-branded billboards placed in major cities including Los Angeles, Mexico City, London, and Chicago before Swift’s official announcement across her social media channels.