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Taylor Swift released “I Knew It, I Knew You,” an original country song for Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5, on June 5, 2026. Written and produced by Swift alongside longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff, the track marks her return to country music and arrives ahead of the film’s June 19 theatrical release.
Quick Facts
- Song title: “I Knew It, I Knew You”
- Release date: June 5, 2026
- Co-writer and co-producer: Jack Antonoff
- Inspired by Jessie’s ongoing journey from Toy Story 2 through Toy Story 5
The track is inspired by Jessie’s character arc, specifically her emotional journey that began in Toy Story 2. According to press materials, the song focuses on the cowgirl’s flashbacks and personal growth throughout the franchise.
Swift described the songwriting process in an Instagram post, saying the experience “felt like a musical departure and coming home at the same time.” She credited the film’s director Andrew Stanton for imagining her involvement and praised composer Randy Newman’s work across the Toy Story franchise.
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A Return to Country Roots
The song represents Swift’s first venture back into country music in years. According to USA Today, the track is “driven by harmonica, drum and piano,” featuring a midtempo swing arrangement. Stereogum reported that Antonoff’s Bleachers bandmates contributed instrumental performances to the recording.
Disney officially promoted the song to country radio upon its release, signaling the label’s confidence in its appeal to that audience. Multiple outlets, including Deadline and Slant Magazine, highlighted the track as a meaningful return to Swift’s early-career genre after years of pop, alternative, and other musical directions.
Sources
- Variety — announced the song title, release date, and confirmed it was co-written and co-produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff
- The Walt Disney Company — official press release confirming the song details and its connection to Jessie’s journey
- USA Today — described the song’s instrumentation and confirmed it marks a return to country
- Deadline — confirmed the June 5 release and noted the country music return
- Stereogum — reported on the song’s production details and Bleachers involvement
