Jessie takes center stage in Taylor Swift’s latest musical endeavor, the Toy Story 5 anthem titled “I Knew It, I Knew You.” The track serves as a poignant return to the country roots that defined the early stages of Swift’s illustrious career, drawing direct inspiration from the iconic Pixar character who graces the single’s cover art.
On the track, Swift delivers a nostalgic and blissful chorus: “I saw you, standing there in the light of the window/Wearing that same smile/Man, it’s been a while.” To bring the vision to life, the star reunited with her longtime collaborator and friend Jack Antonoff. The duo, who most recently worked together on 2024’s The Tortured Poets Department, co-produced and co-wrote the song.
Reflecting on the creative process, Swift shared in an Instagram post—accompanied by a childhood video of herself in cowgirl attire—that the project felt like a homecoming. “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,” she noted, adding that her lifelong fandom of the Toy Story franchise is an adventure she intends to continue “to infinity and beyond.”
Swift recorded three distinct versions of the track, with acoustic and piano editions available exclusively through her official website. She also took a moment to express deep gratitude to her collaborators, specifically mentioning Andrew Stanton for his vision and the legendary Randy Newman for the “gorgeous sonic tapestry” he has woven throughout the franchise’s history. “We wrote this with so much adoration for these characters that made us laugh and helped us learn lessons and think outside the backyard all throughout our childhoods,” she added.
The release follows months of speculation regarding Swift’s involvement in the fifth installment of the series. Rumors began circulating in late April when her website underwent a thematic shift to Toy Story-inspired aesthetics. The anticipation culminated in late May with the appearance of promotional billboards and social media teases from Pixar and Disney featuring Jessie.
Toy Story 5 is scheduled to hit theaters on June 19, a date that holds additional significance as it marks the 20th anniversary of Swift’s debut single, “Tim McGraw.”