Taylor Swift, I Knew It, I Knew You | Song Review

Pop superstar Taylor Swift delivers an incredibly fun and memorable original song from Toy Story 5 with “I Knew It, I Knew You.”

Let those poetic, thought-provoking lyrics sink in. Taylor Swift dropped a new single, which is not surprising – she’s prolific.  But what is surprising is that “I Knew It, I Knew You” is an original song for the Disney/Pixar film Toy Story 5.  Soundtrack songs are hit and miss, particularly when it comes to children’s films, but Taylor, who has been criticized during her THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT and The Life of a Showgirl album cycles, struck gold with this one. “I Knew It, I Knew You” was written and produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff.

From the get-go, “I Knew It, I Knew You” has plenty of pros. It begins with the folksy harmonica and a driving bass line (Mikey Freedom Hart).  Beyond the bass, there are various stringed instruments, including acoustic and electric guitars and the banjo.  The sound is a nice mix of country, folk, and pop. Other instruments that enhance the color include the organ and saxophones. The star of the show, Taylor Swift, shines as well.  She delivers a respectable, easygoing vocal performance.  She sounds smooth, never forcing things.  The lyrics are where her bread is buttered, as excerpted earlier. The chorus, varied each iteration, is the crème de la crème:

“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).”

Beyond the words, the melodies are tuneful.  Also, beyond her sweet lead vocals, there are sweet vocal harmonies, too.  No need to overthink “I Knew It, I Knew You”.  This is a catchy, well-written, well-performed, and well-produced soundtrack song.  It’s also another enjoyable Taylor Swift earworm – prepare to get this one stuck in your head!

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Taylor Swift » “I Knew It, I Knew You” » Wonderland Music Company, Inc. (BMI) / Pixar Music (BMI) / Walt Disney Music Company (ASCAP) / Pixar Talking Pictures (ASCAP) » 6.5.26 [📷: Wonderland Music Company, Inc. (BMI) / Pixar Music (BMI) / Walt Disney Music Company (ASCAP) / Pixar Talking Pictures (ASCAP)]

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