Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has revealed she contributed an original song titled 'I Knew It, I Knew You' to Toy Story 5, describing the creative process as both a 'musical departure' and a feeling of 'coming home.' The track, co-written with longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff, is now available on all streaming platforms.

A Lifelong Fan Steps Behind the Mic

Swift accompanied her announcement with a childhood video of herself dressed as Jessie, the spirited cowgirl from the franchise, underscoring just how deep her connection to the series runs. 'Being a Toy Story kid from the age of 5 til now… is an adventure I plan to be on, to infinity and beyond,' she wrote in her post.

Writing for Jessie specifically, Swift noted, presented a fresh creative challenge — one that simultaneously felt instinctive. 'Creating something for Jessie was a new challenge and also felt like second nature all at once,' she said, capturing the tension between artistic stretch and personal familiarity that defines her best work.

Swift and Antonoff on the Song's Creation

Swift credited Andrew Stanton, who directs Toy Story 5, for envisioning her involvement in the project. 'Thank you for imagining me for this all those years ago when you wrote this newest film,' she said. She also paid tribute to Randy Newman, the composer whose music has defined the franchise's emotional identity since 1995. 'Thank you to the incomparable Randy Newman for the gorgeous sonic tapestry of songs and scores you've meticulously woven over the years. You created the Toy Story musical world, and we are lucky to get to live in it,' Swift wrote.

On the collaboration with Antonoff, Swift said the pair wrote the song 'with so much adoration for these characters that made us laugh and helped us learn lessons and think outside the backyard all throughout our childhoods.'

About the Toy Story Franchise

The Toy Story franchise launched in 1995 with the release of the first film — a landmark moment in cinema as the first feature-length movie made entirely using computer-generated imagery. The series centres on Sheriff Woody, a classic cowboy doll, and Buzz Lightyear, a modern spaceman action figure, alongside a diverse ensemble of toys navigating the human world.

The franchise now spans six animated films: the original Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, Toy Story 4, the forthcoming Toy Story 5, and the spin-off Lightyear. The first two films were directed by John Lasseter, the third by Lee Unkrich, the fourth by Josh Cooley, Toy Story 5 by Andrew Stanton, and Lightyear by Angus MacLane.

What This Means for the Film

Swift's involvement signals Pixar's intent to pair its legacy franchise with one of the biggest names in contemporary pop music — a strategy that could significantly expand Toy Story 5's cultural footprint beyond its core family audience. Notably, this marks Swift's first contribution to a major animated film soundtrack. With 'I Knew It, I Knew You' already out, anticipation for the film itself is set to build further.