Taylor Swift’s Country Return with ‘I Knew It, I Knew You’ for ‘Toy Story 5’

Taylor Swift has released a new song titled “I Knew It, I Knew You” for Disney and Pixar’s upcoming film “Toy Story 5.” The release marks a return to Swift’s country roots, tapping into a sound she became famous for in Nashville before rising to global superstardom.

Taylor Swift’s Country Comeback

In “I Knew It, I Knew You,” Swift doesn’t emphasize a traditional country twang but incorporates key country elements like live instrumentation, banjo, and harmonica. Many consider “Red” from 2012 to be her last country-related album, but “Speak Now” is often viewed as her last full country album over 15 years ago.

The release of “I Knew It, I Knew You” comes after her last original work, “The Life of a Showgirl,” was released in October. Jack Antonoff, who has worked with Swift since 2014’s “1989,” co-produced the song. Their collaboration began after Swift’s primary country phase, with the song “Betty” from the 2020 “Folklore” album as a rare exception.

“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,” Swift wrote on social media Friday. “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.”

Promotion of ‘I Knew It, I Knew You’

Promotion for the song started with billboards featuring “TS,” styled like the “Toy Story” logo, appearing in several major cities. Swift confirmed the song’s release on Instagram, expressing her excitement about contributing to “Toy Story” characters she has adored since childhood. Swift shared the inspiration struck her after watching an early version of “Toy Story 5.” Preorders for three CD single versions of the track quickly sold out.

The director and writer of “Toy Story 5,” Andrew Stanton, praised Swift’s connection to the character Jessie and the seamless integration of the song into the film. He said, “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.”

Potential Oscar Consideration

Fans are speculating about “I Knew It, I Knew You” potentially being an Oscar contender. For the 2027 Academy Awards, eligibility requires a theatrical release between January 1 and December 31 of this year. “Toy Story 5,” set for release on June 19, meets these criteria. A new rule states that if the song plays over the end credits, it must also overlap with the film’s final 15 seconds before credits begin.

If nominated and winning, Swift would edge closer to achieving an EGOT—an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony combination. She holds 14 Grammys and an Emmy. With an Oscar, a Tony would be all that remains. Could Broadway be her next venture?