Taylor Swift’s new original single, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” released on Friday, June 5, is a full-circle moment for fans who have grown up with the “Toy Story” franchise and Swift’s stardom.
After Easter eggs sparked anticipation across social media, Swift confirmed her involvement in the soundtrack on June 1 and later shared on Instagram her own connection to the movie franchise: A love for the character Jessie.
“Writing this song felt like a musical departure and coming home at the same time,” she said on Instagram to celebrate the song’s release. “Creating something for Jessie was a new challenge and also felt like second nature all at once. And being a @toystory kid from the age of 5 til now… is an adventure I plan to be on, to infinity and beyond.”
Through a series of imagery-filled reflections, “I Knew It, I Knew You” depicts the irreplaceable joy of reconnecting with an estranged friend, romantic partner or something from childhood.
The song starts with not a lavender haze, but a “daze of the blades of the grass in the summer,” in typical wordsmith Swift fashion.
Most of the “Toy Story” movies feature the summer season, from the first movie in 1995 to “Toy Story 4,” where the toys go on a summer road trip.
With a cheery country-meets-electropop sound (the touch of composer Jack Antonoff), plus some emotionally heavy lyrics, the track emulates complex up-and-downs in a relationship that come with time.
“What I thought would be the last time I saw/ my friend/ But love has ways of bringing thinks back to life, Swift sings on the track.
The lyrics are also full of rich imagery. The 14-time Grammy winner has a reputation for color metaphors. In this new track, she sings, “All your blues like a mood ring changing colors,” bringing to mind her iconic chorus led by, “Losing him was blue,” on the title track of 2012’s “Red” album.
For the backbeat, a harmonica leads the way in the instrumentals, leading some to celebrate, as one fan put it, the return of “Taycountry,” fitting for the character of cowgirl Jessie.
Not much is known about the plot of “Toy Story 5,” which hits theaters June 19. The logline previews the beloved cast of characters facing “what kids are obsessed with today… electronics!” However, Joan Cusack, who voices Jessie, has said her character takes center stage in the film.
“This is Jessie’s story,” she told Britain’s Virgin Radio UK on May 28 in a joint interview with co-star Tim Allen. “It’s glorious.”
“This woman comes through,” Allen, who voices Buzz Lightyear, added.
Read on for the full lyrics to “I Knew It, I Knew You.”
Read the Lyrics to ‘I Knew It, I Knew You’
I knew you through the daze of the blades of
the grass in summer
Parachutes for the free fall of being younger
I memorized the sound of your bare
footsteps
Running wild, it’s been a long time
Life has ways of leaving those days behind
But seeing you tonight
I remembered I loved you
Came back when it mattered, I saw you
Standing there in the light of the window
wearing that same smile
Man, it’s been a while
But I knew it, I knew you
I knew it, I knew you
I knew you, all your blues like a mood ring
changing colors
You did too, therе were times we could fight
like brothers
I watched you drive around the bend for
What I thought would be the last time I saw
my friend
But love has ways of bringing thinks back to
life
All you said was, “Hi”
And I remembered I loved you
Came back when it mattered, I saw you
Standing there in the light of the window
wearing that same smile
Man, it’s been a while
But I knew it, I knew you (I knew, I knew)
I knew it, I knew you (I knew, I knew)
I knew it, I knew you (I knew, I knew)
Oh, the rivers I cried when we said goodbye
Wondering if I’d made it up in my mind
But now you look me in the eye
And you told me I loved you
Came back when it mattered, I saw you
Standing there in the light of the window
wearing that same smile
Yeah, it’s been a while, oh-oh
Wearing that same smile
Man, it’s been a while (Man, it’s been a while)
Wearing that same smile
Man, it’s been a while
But I knew it, I knew you (Ooh, I knew you, I knew)
I knew it, I knew you
Wearing that same smile (Ooh, I knew you, I knew)
I knew it, I knew you (Ooh, I knew you, I knew)
I knew it, I knew you (Ooh, I knew you, I knew)
I knew it