Taylor Swift announces Toy Story song

Taylor Swift said on Monday that she wrote and recorded an original song for Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5,” ending a day of fan speculation triggered by a countdown on her website. The song is titled “I Knew It, I Knew You,” and Swift said it will be released on Friday, June 5. Entertainment outlets including Billboard, WDW News Today and Glamour reported the rollout after the countdown reached zero on June 1. “Toy Story 5” is due in theaters on June 19, according to multiple reports. ### What exactly did Swift announce on June 1? Taylor Swift said on Instagram that her “new original song” for Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5” is called “I Knew It, I Knew You.” In the post, quoted by multiple outlets, she said the track would be available on June 5. Billboard and other reports tied the announcement to material posted on Swift’s official site earlier the same day. (wdwnt.com) WDW News Today reported that Swift’s website began the day with a themed countdown, and that the reveal came after the timer expired. USA Today said the countdown ran down to a June 1 reveal in the afternoon, giving fans a fixed time for the announcement rather than a vague teaser. ### Why were fans already expecting a “Toy Story” connection? (yahoo.com) Billboard reported that a “Toy Story”-themed countdown appeared on Swift’s site before the announcement, prompting immediate online speculation about her involvement with the film. WDW News Today separately reported on the countdown before the song was unveiled, helping drive attention across fan communities and Disney-focused media. (wdwnt.com) Deadline said the speculation had been building over the weekend as billboards carrying the initials “TS” appeared in several cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Toronto, Mexico City and London. The Dallas Observer, cited in the briefing material, reported that one Dallas billboard that first looked like generic “Toy Story” promotion quickly became part of the Swift rumor cycle. (msn.com) ### When is the song coming out, and how is it being sold? June 5 is the release date cited across the early coverage. Glamour reported that the song would arrive Friday, and NBC News and TODAY said fans would not have to wait until the film’s release to hear it. NBC News and TODAY also reported that Swift’s website offered three collector’s-edition CD singles for preorder for 48 hours at $3.99 each while supplies last. (deadline.com) WDW News Today similarly reported that the song was available to pre-purchase on Swift’s website ahead of Friday’s release. ### How does the song fit into the movie? (yahoo.com) “Toy Story 5” is scheduled to open on June 19, according to NBC News, TODAY and other coverage published after Swift’s announcement. Variety reported that Disney described the song as tied to Jessie’s storyline, and quoted writer-director Andrew Stanton praising Swift’s involvement. (nbcnews.com) Variety also reported that Disney characterized the track as a return to Swift’s country roots and said the song was inspired by Jessie’s continuing journey in the franchise. That description came from Disney’s release, as quoted by Variety, rather than from Swift directly. ### What happens next? Friday, June 5, is the next date in the rollout, when “I Knew It, I Knew You” is scheduled to be released. (nbcnews.com) June 19 is the film’s theatrical release date, and reports from Variety and WDWMagic said the song is part of the broader “Toy Story 5” soundtrack plan. (wdwnt.com) (variety.com)