Taylor Swift is officially back in her country bag and, somehow, it suits her just as well as it ever did. The pop superstar dropped “I Knew It, I Knew You” on June 5, her original contribution to the highly anticipated Disney and Pixar film Toy Story 5, co-written and co-produced with longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff.
Inspired by the beloved cowgirl Jessie’s journey throughout the franchise, the track is breezy, rootsy, and built on harmonicas and Swift’s signature guitar. It’s the kind of song that sounds like a homecoming. On the chorus, she sings about the quiet certainty of recognition after a long absence, capturing the film’s emotional core without ever feeling like a corporate checkbox.
Swift shared her feelings about the project on release day, writing, “Writing this song felt like a musical departure and coming home at the same time. Creating something for Jessie was a new challenge and also felt like second nature all at once.” She also gave a nod to composer Randy Newman, calling his work a “gorgeous sonic tapestry” that defined the Toy Story musical universe.
Toy Story 5 hits theaters June 19. If this single is any indication, the film’s emotional beats are going to hit harder than anyone’s ready for.
