Taylor Swift has announced a brand-new original song for Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5, marking her first new music release since 2025’s The Life of a Showgirl.
The singer revealed on Instagram that the track, titled I Knew It, I Knew You, will be released on 5 June ahead of the film’s worldwide cinema debut on June 19.
“It’s a Toy Story. You knew it! My new original song I Knew It, I Knew You for Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 will be yours on June 5th.”
Swift also explained the personal connection she felt to the project and the iconic animated franchise.
“I’ve always dreamed of getting to write for these characters who I’ve adored since I was a five-year-old kid watching the first Toy Story movie.”
“I fell instantly in love with Toy Story 5 when I was lucky enough to see it in its early stages, and I wrote this song as soon as I got home from the screening. Sometimes you just know, right?”
Taylor Swift returns with first new song since The Life of a Showgirl
The announcement brings an end to months of speculation surrounding Swift‘s next musical project.
Rumours of her involvement with Toy Story 5 intensified after fans in both the UK and the US spotted teaser billboards featuring the initials “TS” displayed in the franchise’s distinctive yellow-and-blue logo style.
The new track was written alongside longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff, who has worked with Swift on several of her biggest albums and songs over the past decade.
I Knew It, I Knew You inspired by Toy Story character Jessie
According to Swift, I Knew It, I Knew You was inspired by Jessie, the much-loved cowgirl character first introduced in Toy Story 2.
The song will also mark a return to country influences for the singer-songwriter, a genre that launched her career before she evolved into one of the world’s biggest pop stars.
The combination of Swift’s songwriting and Jessie’s emotional storyline is expected to play a significant role in the film’s soundtrack.
Toy Story 5 director praises Taylor Swift’s contribution
Toy Story 5 director Andrew Stanton praised Swift’s work on the project, saying the song immediately felt like a natural fit for the film.
“It’s incredible just how meaningful it’s been having Taylor write and perform this song.”
He added:
“Her connection to Jessie and the immediate way she understood what the character was going through was undeniable.”
Stanton also described the track as an essential part of the film’s emotional core.
“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.”
Toy Story 5 release date confirmed
Toy Story 5 is scheduled for worldwide release on 19 June, bringing Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the beloved Pixar characters back to cinemas once again.
For Swift fans, the arrival of I Knew It, I Knew You offers the first taste of new music since The Life of a Showgirl became one of the biggest albums of 2025.
