Taylor Swift has announced she has written and recorded an original song for the upcoming animated film Toy Story 5, marking her first contribution to the iconic Disney and Pixar franchise. The singer revealed on Monday her new track, I Knew It, I Knew You, will be released on June 5 ahead of the film’s cinema debut on June 19.
The song will feature on the official soundtrack for Toy Story 5. Swift shared the news with her 273 million Instagram followers after weeks of speculation linking her to the highly anticipated sequel.
Fans had been convinced the pop superstar was involved after a series of clues emerged online. Among them were mysterious “TS” billboards appearing in cities including London, Mexico City and Los Angeles, along with cryptic countdowns and social media teasers from both Pixar and Swift’s team.
Confirming the rumours, Swift referenced one of her biggest hits while unveiling the project. She wrote: “It’s a Toy Story. You knew it!
“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?”
View 3 ImagesSwift said writing a song for Toy Story 5 had been a lifelong dream and was inspired by an early screening of the film.(Image: Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
The song was written and produced by Swift alongside longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff. According to the singer, the track was inspired by fan favourite character Jessie and draws on musical influences from her country roots while incorporating elements that have shaped her career across multiple genres.
Toy Story 5 director and screenwriter Andrew Stanton said Swift immediately understood the emotional core of the film and the character who inspired the song. He said: “Her connection to Jessie and the immediate way she understood what the character was going through was undeniable.
“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.”
View 3 ImagesToy Story 5 reunites Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie, with Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack returning to voice the characters.(Image: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Stanton also described Swift’s involvement as particularly meaningful for the production, adding the song felt like a natural part of the film from the moment the creative team first heard it. The track will be Swift’s first new release since her chart topping 12th studio album The Life Of A Showgirl, which was released last autumn.
Earlier this year, she also unveiled the music video for Opalite, a single reportedly inspired by her fiancé, NFL star Travis Kelce. The song went on to reach number one on the UK singles chart.
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The latest instalment of the Toy Story franchise reunites many of the series’ best known characters, with Woody joining forces once again with Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and the rest of the gang as they confront the growing influence of technology. The film features returning voice performances from Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack.
Several new cast members have also joined the project. Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny voices a forgotten toy called Pizza With Sunglasses, while Alan Cumming takes on the role of an evil alter ego of Bullseye.
Swift’s new song, I Knew It, I Knew You, will be available on streaming platforms from June 5, with Toy Story 5 arriving in UK cinemas on June 19.