There’s something that just feels right about Taylor Swift writing a song for Toy Story 5. Maybe it’s the obvious country roots, or maybe it’s the fact that Jessie’s character has always carried a certain melancholy that suits Swift’s songwriting style perfectly. Either way, “I Knew It, I Knew You” hits different.
The track dropped this week, and it’s got that classic Swift sentimental punch mixed with a barnyard twang that feels tailor-made for the cowgirl who’s been part of the Toy Story crew since Toy Story 2. But here’s the thing: Jessie has always been one of the more interesting characters in the franchise. She’s brave, she’s complicated, and frankly, she’s spent way too much time in Woody and Buzz’s shadow.
This new song changes that narrative quite a bit. The music video pulls footage from the upcoming film and features Jessie riding through dusty landscapes, sharing moments with Woody and Bullseye, and yes, there’s even some hints of a budding romance with Buzz. There’s a garbage truck near-death sequence that looks appropriately terrifying, because let’s be honest, those scenes always hit hard. The whole thing feels like a love letter to a character who was overdue for her moment in the spotlight.
Swift co-wrote and produced the track with Jack Antonoff, and in an Instagram post she mentioned that writing for Jessie felt like “a musical departure and coming home at the same time.” That’s a pretty apt description actually. The song has those nostalgic strings and emotional crescents that define her recent work, but there’s also a simplicity to it that harks back to her earlier country days.
What’s interesting is the timing. Toy Story 5 hits theaters June 19, which means this song is essentially serving as the emotional trailer. It’s not just marketing, it’s setting the tone for what appears to be a film about confronting new challenges, namely a tablet called Lilypad. Yes, the toys are facing off against technology this time around, which feels like a natural evolution for a franchise that’s always been about adaptation.
The whole thing is a reminder that the Toy Story films have always worked because they’re really about change and holding onto what matters. Swift’s contribution fits that theme perfectly. Whether you’re a Nineties kid who grew up with these characters or you’re introducing them to a new generation, there’s something in this track that resonates.
Maybe that’s the magic of Pixar’s formula: they keep finding ways to make these toys feel relevant, even when the world around them keeps shifting. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go cry about a plastic cowgirl for fifteen minutes.
