Taylor Swift recently opened up about her creative process for “I Knew It, I Knew You,” a new track she composed for the Toy Story 5 soundtrack. During interviews across multiple country radio stations, the artist revealed that she and collaborator Jack Antonoff drew significant inspiration from legendary composer Randy Newman, who has shaped the Toy Story musical legacy.
Swift emphasized the gravity of contributing to Newman’s established body of work, describing the experience as an honor. She explained that both she and Antonoff are devoted admirers of Newman’s distinctive approach to composition, particularly his unconventional chord progressions and unique musical sensibilities. The pair deliberately worked to capture Newman’s artistic essence while crafting their original contribution to the film.
The single achieved remarkable success upon its release in June, becoming the first song by a female artist to receive universal support from country radio stations reporting to Mediabase in its opening week. The track topped the Hot Country Songs chart and debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Swift’s return to country music was celebrated by industry professionals, who welcomed her back to the genre with enthusiasm.
Beyond the radio appearances, Swift performed alongside Newman at the Toy Story 5 premiere, where they dueted on his classic “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” with Newman accompanying on piano.
Originally reported by Rollingstone →
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