Beth Garrabrant
Swifties, get ready to embrace your country roots. Taylor Swift has officially returned to her acoustic origins with “I Knew It, I Knew You,” an evocative new anthem crafted for the upcoming Toy Story 5.
Written as a musical tribute to the beloved cowgirl character Jessie, the track was released this past Friday (June 5). The song serves as a poignant, genre-bending highlight from the film’s official soundtrack, which is set to debut on June 19, coinciding with the nationwide theatrical release of Toy Story 5.
In a heartfelt post shared via X, Swift reflected on the songwriting process, noting, “Writing this song felt like a musical departure and a return to home all at once. Capturing the spirit of Jessie was a challenge that felt entirely natural to me. Having been a devoted Toy Story fan since I was five, being part of this adventure is truly a dream come true.”
Writing this song felt like a musical departure and coming home at the same time. Creating something for Jessie was a new challenge… @toystory
The film, which features the return of legendary voice actors Tom Hanks and Tim Allen as Woody and Buzz Lightyear alongside Joan Cusack’s iconic portrayal of Jessie, explores the challenges toys face in a world increasingly dominated by digital screens and tablets.
Swift teased her involvement in the project earlier this week through a series of cryptic, franchise-themed billboards that appeared globally, leading to a countdown on her personal website. Her collaboration has been met with immense praise from the production team.
“It is remarkable how much depth Taylor brought to this song,” shared director Andrew Stanton. “Her immediate intuition regarding Jessie’s emotional journey was striking. Upon the first listen, it felt as though the song had always belonged in the Toy Story universe—it fits as perfectly as a long-lost family member.”
Experience the latest chapter of Taylor Swift’s musical journey below:
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