Taylor Swift truly embraced the creative spirit while crafting the anthem for Toy Story 5, titled “I Knew It, I Knew You.” In a candid behind-the-scenes update shared on Instagram, the superstar revealed that she, alongside longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff, managed to compose, track, and produce the entire song in a whirlwind eight-hour session.
In a video update posted this Thursday (June 18), Swift recounted the frantic but exhilarating experience. “It’s been a bit of a chaotic day,” she laughed. “I caught an 11 a.m. screening of Toy Story 5 and felt an instant surge of inspiration. I was hit with a serious case of ‘songwriter zoomies,’ rushed home, and dove straight into writing the end-credits song.”
Providing a glimpse into the pressure of the creative process, she added, “It’s currently 6:57 p.m., and in two hours, I’ll be playing the finished track for Bob Iger and the team from Pixar. It has honestly been one of the most fun, surreal days of my career.”
Beyond the studio update, Swift shared a nostalgic touch, posting a vintage childhood photo of herself and her brother, Austin, dressed in Western gear, paired with snapshots from the recent Toy Story 5 premiere. “Tomorrow is the big day!” she captioned the post. “I am so in love with this film. Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 hits theaters everywhere tomorrow.”
Since its release on June 12, “I Knew It, I Knew You” has made a massive impact, debuting at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The achievement marks the 14-time Grammy winner’s 15th career No. 1 hit.
Reflecting on the project, Swift noted her long-standing affection for the franchise: “I’ve dreamed of writing for these iconic characters since I was five years old. Watching the film in its early stages was an incredible experience, and I felt compelled to capture that magic in a song the moment I walked out of the theater.”
