With the release of Toy Story 5, we also got the release of “I Knew It, I Knew You” from Taylor Swift as part of the movie’s soundtrack. This song marks Swift’s 15th #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 and also Disney’s first #1 debut. The song has a bit of history and lore behind it worth explaining, but let’s get this out of the way first: Is it country?
In an article from the Washington Times, they state: “Swift doesn’t sing with a familiar twang on ‘I Knew It, I Knew You,’ but no matter – the song features some elements inextricable from the country genre: Live instrumentation, plucky banjo and harmonica that opens the track.” So the track has a lot of features of the country genre, but the consensus seems to be that it misses the mark. I would describe the track as more of a country-pop fusion, but I will admit that I’m not a fan of the pop-style vocals with the country instrumentation. But you can decide for yourself if you listen to the song below.
The Context Of “I Knew It, I Knew You”
When Swift was originally approached to write a song for Toy Story 5, she was hesitant. It wasn’t until Jessica Choi, one of the producers on the movie, wrote her a letter that argued her involvement was necessary, as this movie was focused on the character Jessie, rather than the other stars, Buzz and Woody. Having a female artist who has continually succeeded despite being in a male-dominated industry would be the perfect fit for Toy Story 5. Later in an Instagram post, Swift said, “I’ve always dreamed of getting to write for these characters who I’ve adored since I was a 5-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?”
The song is written from the perspective of Jessie, co-written by Swift and Jack Antonoff, with director Andrew Stanton singing its praises, saying:
“It’s incredible just how meaningful it’s been having Taylor write and perform this song. 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.”
However, even though it’s written from the perspective of a toy, it can easily be related to our own relationships.
The Music Behind “I Knew It, I Knew You”
“I Knew It, I Knew You” is in C major, giving it a wholesome feel. Starting out with just Swift’s voice and a guitar, the song gently bubbles up to its climax, mirroring the feeling of reuniting with a friend. The climax, however, is helped by the inclusion of 14 instruments. 14 INSTRUMENTS. Some of those instruments include: acoustic guitar, piano, percussion, strings, drum kit, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, saxophone, celesta, Hammond organ, and mellotron. However, none of the instruments feels unnecessary. The guitar, banjo, and harmonica give the song its country feel, and the celesta and mellotron add that toy-like, child-like wonder to the track. Swift’s own voice adds much to the piece, showing off real dynamic range and emotion packed in every word.
While we’re still a while away from the Academy Awards, “I Knew It, I Knew You” has proven itself to be a strong contender for “Best Original Song.”
