The pop superstar has dropped a new plaintive track for Pixar’s pour-over sequel.

Taylor Swift Returns With New Music

June 05, 2026 – Taylor Swift dropped a surprise new single, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” an original track composed for Pixar’s Toy Story 5. The song is Swift’s first new music since the 2025 release of The Life of a Showgirl, and is a high-profile partnership with Disney and Pixar.

The Grammy winner announced the release on June 5 and expressed her appreciation at contributing to one of the most cherished animated franchises ever made. The song appears before the film’s theatrical release, slated for later this month.

Image Credit: Beth Garrabrant

A Switchback to Toy Story

Swift said that the song was a “musical departure and a homecoming all at once.” The singer told Billboard that she has been a fan of the series since childhood and was immediately drawn in after watching a first screening of the upcoming sequel.

To celebrate the release, Swift posted a rare childhood video of herself wearing a cowgirl costume, connecting to the beloved character Jessie from Toy Story who supposedly inspired the poignant track. The link to the past was met with excitement by Swift’s fanbase, who thanked the singer for her personal take on the chart-topper.

The Song is a Return to Country Roots

“It Knew It, I Knew You” is more jazz hands for some of the loves us that Swift’s music originated from. As stated by Disney and Pixar, the song has the building blocks of lots of what came with her, including her country roots.

Together with longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff on production and songwriting, Swift has worked on a variety of singles over the years. But as opposed to some of her recent pop material, this track is much more acoustic and emotional.

Image Credit: Disney/Pixar

Toy Story 5 Director Andrew Stanton Likes the Pick

Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 director, Andrew Stanton, said that Swift’s understanding of Jessie’s history made the collaboration feel organic. He reportedly called the song “something that just felt right in the world of Toy Story.”

The song’s emotional themes reportedly tie in with Jessie’s ongoing story, providing longtime fans of the franchise with yet another unforgettable musical chapter.

See Fans’ Reactions Here

Swifties didn’t waste any time sharing their thoughts on social media following the song’s release. Many praised the singer’s return to a more country-woven sound and said the act of collaborating with Pixar marked the end of the circle.

But not everyone’s response has been positive. Some have cast doubt over the project and questioned whether the contribution to the soundtrack was primarily a money-making venture. Nevertheless, the track was instantly one of the most buzzing music releases of the week.

 

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Taylor Swift’s Experience with Musical Films

This isn’t Swift’s first foray into film music. She’s penned tracks for movies such as The Hunger Games, Valentine’s Day, Fifty Shades Darker, and Hannah Montana: The Movie.

Her skill in adapting music to cinematic storytelling has been lauded over the years, and Toy Story 5 provides another blockbuster film for her to add to her growing list of soundtrack contributions. Lots of fans say the collaboration could turn up as one of the most memorable musical moments in the film.

Toy Story 5 Pumps Up Anticipation

The buzz has been building for Toy Story 5 for months, with teaser campaigns and billboards spray-painted with “TS” overallborne before Swift’s involvement was announced outright. And with that, the film will make its debut in theaters later this month, marking yet another chapter in one of Pixar’s most beloved franchises.

Now that Swift’s original has been released, the buzz around the sequel has earned even more steam.

Final Thoughts

Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You” is an emotional nod to the past and a step toward the future. Drawing inspiration from Jessie and from her own childhood, the star could return to the country roots that sparked her career and contribute a track to a franchise she’s loved for generations.

Swift’s moving tune is already generating buzz for Toy Story 5, and for many who get both Taylor and Pixar, this collaboration feels like a predestined, almost nostalgic, love affair.

FAQs

Q1. What’s the name of Taylor Swift’s brand-new Toy Story 5 track?

The track is “I Knew It, I Knew You.”

Q2. Who was she referencing?

Swift told Billboard that the track was written about Jessie and her tale in the Toy Story franchise.

Q3. Who worked with Taylor Swift on the song?

It was co-written and co-produced with longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff.

Q4. What does Taylor Swift mean by the song being a “musical departure”?

She said that the project gave her the opportunity to revisit her country influences and also step into new creative ground.

Q5. When will the new Toy Story movie come out?

The Pixar sequel is set to arrive later in June 2026.