Taylor Swift has officially released her brand new song, I Knew It, I Knew You, written especially for Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 5, giving fans their first taste of the highly anticipated animated sequel ahead of its cinema release on June 19.
The singer announced the song's release on social media, revealing that writing for the beloved franchise was both a new creative challenge and a deeply personal experience.
View this post on Instagram
“Writing this song felt like a musical departure and coming home at the same time,” Swift wrote. “Creating something for Jessie was a new challenge and also felt like second nature all at once. And being a Toy Story kid from the age of 5 til now… is an adventure I plan to be on, to infinity and beyond.”
I Knew It, I Knew You. Original Song by Taylor Swift. For Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 5
She also thanked director Andrew Stanton for bringing her into the project, while paying tribute to legendary composer Randy Newman, whose music has helped define the Toy Story franchise since the original film debuted in 1995.
(L-R): Jessie, Buzz Lightyear, and Woody in Disney and Pixar's TOY STORY 5. Photo courtesy of Pixar. © 2026 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
Swift revealed that she co-wrote the track with longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff, describing the song as a labour of love inspired by characters that shaped her childhood.
“We wrote this 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,” she said.
The song is said to be inspired by fan-favourite cowgirl Jessie, voiced by Joan Cusack, who returns for the fifth instalment alongside Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear.
Joan Cusack with Jessie attends the UK Launch Event of Disney and Pixar's 'Toy Story 5' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, London on May 28th, 2026. (Photo by StillMoving.Net for The Walt Disney Company Limited)
Director Andrew Stanton has praised Swift's contribution, saying her connection to Jessie was immediately apparent.
“It's incredible just how meaningful it's been having Taylor write and perform this song. Her connection to Jessie and the immediate way she understood what the character was going through was undeniable,” Stanton said.
He added: “The song is so deeply connected to Toy Story. So much so that on first listen, it instantly felt like it had always belonged there, like a long-lost family member. It was kismet.”
Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen) in TOY STORY 5. Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5" releases in theaters June 19, 2026. © 2025 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved. © 2025 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
Toy Story 5 will see Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the gang facing a very modern challenge.
Rather than battling another toy, the characters find themselves competing with technology when Bonnie becomes increasingly attached to a tablet device called Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee.
The film explores children's growing relationship with screens and technology, a theme that stars Tom Hanks and Tim Allen have both said will resonate strongly with modern families.
(L-R): Bullseye, Jessie, and Lilypad in Disney and Pixar's TOY STORY 5. Photo courtesy of Pixar. © 2026 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
Alongside Hanks, Allen, Cusack and Lee, the film features an extensive voice cast including Conan O'Brien, Tony Hale, Craig Robinson, Keanu Reeves, Kristen Schaal, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Bonnie Hunt, Alan Cumming and Bad Bunny.
With I Knew It, I Knew You now available, Swift's involvement is expected to add even more excitement to one of the year's biggest family films, while giving fans a brand new original song ahead of Toy Story 5's arrival in cinemas on June 19.
