Taylor Swift returns to pop country with Toy Story 5 song
The latest release from Taylor Swift, a new song for the upcoming Toy Story 5 movie, marks her return to the country music genre. While Swift’s vocals lack the traditional twang associated with country music on “I Knew It, I Knew You,” the track contains definitive elements of the genre with live instrumentation, banjo, and harmonica.
Swift’s most recent official venture into country music is often considered to be her 2012 album “Red,” although it leans more towards a crossover sound. To pinpoint her last true-blue country album, one would have to look back to “Speak Now,” released over 15 years ago. “I Knew It, I Knew You” also marks Swift’s first original piece since “The Life of a Showgirl” was unveiled in October. The song, co-produced by Jack Antonoff, who frequently collaborated with Swift starting from 2014’s “1989” through to 2024’s “The Tortured Poets Department.”
Expressing her thoughts on the track, Swift shared on social media, “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,” referencing the beloved cowgirl character from Toy Story. The singer also shared that the song was inspired by her love for Toy Story, which she has adored since childhood.
The rollout of “I Knew It, I Knew You” saw billboards featuring “TS” – stylized in the Toy Story font – in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and London. Swift confirmed the release of the song on Instagram, expressing her excitement at writing for characters she has cherished since childhood. Preorders for three CD versions of the track quickly sold out, featuring the song as it appears in the film, an acoustic version, and a piano version.
Director and writer of Toy Story 5, Andrew Stanton, expressed his admiration for Swift’s contribution to the film, stating, “Her connection to Jessie and the immediate way she understood what the character was going through was undeniable.” Speculation has arisen among fans, considering if Swift’s song could qualify for an Oscar in the original song category. The song will be eligible for the 2027 Academy Awards if it meets certain conditions, including a qualifying theatrical release.
If the song is submitted and wins, Swift would be one step closer to achieving an EGOT, having already secured 14 Grammys and an Emmy. Such an accolade would only leave her needing a Tony award, prompting fans to wonder if Broadway could be the next stop for the talented artist.