Taylor Swift’s ‘I Knew It, I Knew You’ Gets Randy Newman Approval

Taylor Swift has earned a major seal of approval for her Toy Story 5 song — from the man who created some of the franchise’s most beloved music.

Swift recently revealed that Randy Newman has heard “I Knew It, I Knew You,” the original song she wrote for the film.

And fortunately for Swift, the “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” songwriter liked what he heard.

Taylor Swift Gets Randy Newman’s Approval

Swift discussed the song during an iHeartCountry House Party on BOB 94.9 FM in Harrisburg, Pa., Saturday (Sept. 5).

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While discussing her contribution to Toy Story 5, Swift praised the musical world Newman created for the beloved franchise.

“It has a sonic world that Randy Newman has crafted so beautifully,” she said.

Newman has heard Swift’s new song — and gave it his approval. “He told me he likes it, which is really all I need to know,” Swift said.

Swift also reflected on what she’s learned from years of studio sessions, writing and collaborating with other artists, emphasizing how much a person’s attitude can affect the creative process.

One thing I’ve learned over the many years of studio sessions and writing sessions and working with people collaboratively is your energy and attitude you bring into the room can affect absolutely everything about the day. If you come in and act like you don’t want to be there, everyone else is gonna pick up on that.

Her advice is simple: Embrace the opportunity to create.

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“Be enthusiastic about being able to make art every day that you can make art,” Swift said.

For Swift, getting approval from the person who helped define Toy Story‘s musical identity is a meaningful endorsement.

‘I Knew It, I Knew You’ Lyrics

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
There 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 things 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

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
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 (ooh, I knew you, I knew)
Wearing that same smile (ooh, I)
I knew it, I knew you (I knew)
I knew it, I knew you (I knew, I knew)
I knew it

Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” (From ‘Toy Story’):