Taylor Swift released a new song titled “I Knew It, I Knew You” on Friday, June 5, 2026, for the upcoming Disney/Pixar film Toy Story 5 [1].

The collaboration marks a high-profile intersection between one of the world's most successful musical artists and a flagship cinematic franchise. By aligning with a family-oriented blockbuster, Swift expands her reach across demographics while returning to a specific sonic palette.

Swift shared the track via her social-media accounts [4]. The song serves as a tribute to the character Jessie, a cowgirl toy from the Toy Story series [5]. This creative direction marks a return to Swift’s country-pop roots, a shift she said was a “musical departure and coming home at the same time” [5].

Billboard staff said Swift dropped the song ahead of the movie premiere [2]. The release generated immediate commercial momentum, with the track reaching number one on the iTunes chart at the start of the tracking period [3].

Hugh McIntyre of Forbes said "I Knew It, I Knew You" leads iTunes at the beginning of this tracking period [3]. The song's rapid ascent to the top of the digital sales chart underscores the continued dominance of Swift's commercial appeal across different media formats.

While the movie's release date remains the primary focus for Disney/Pixar, the musical accompaniment is already acting as a primary promotional vehicle. The song bridges the gap between the film's narrative and the contemporary music market, a strategy often used by Pixar to build anticipation for its sequels.

"It felt like a musical departure and coming home at the same time."

This release signals a strategic pivot for Swift, leveraging a nostalgic return to country-pop to align with a family-friendly global brand. By anchoring the song to a specific character like Jessie, Swift integrates her songwriting into the storytelling of the Pixar universe, likely ensuring the track remains relevant throughout the film's theatrical run and subsequent streaming life.