Taylor Swift Announces New Song for Toy Story 5, Sparks Controversy
Taylor Swift has announced a new song she has written for the upcoming Toy Story 5 film. The track, titled “I Knew It, I Knew You,” has sparked confusion among fans as it bears an almost identical title to a song by her close friend Gracie Abrams, “I Knew It, I Know You.”
The American popstar, 36, has shared that she has always ‘dreamed’ of writing for the beloved Disney and Pixar animation franchise, which she has ‘adored’ since she was a five-year-old when the first film came out. She revealed the news on Monday, stating that the song will be released on June 5 and featured on the official Toy Story 5 soundtrack when the film releases on June 19.
However, fans have been left rather confused by the title of the song. Social media users have suggested that Taylor may have ‘copied’ Gracie, with one user, @isthiisdesire, declaring that she was ‘stealing’ from her fellow artist. Another user, Hanna, shared her confusion, writing: “Me at first glance: why is Taylor Swift selling CD singles for a Gracie Abrams song.”
Meanwhile, a Taylor Swift fan account called @SwiftNYC added: “I’m trying to recover from the Gracie Abrams jumpscare when I saw the title ‘I Knew It, I Knew You’ but hers is I KNOW YOU.” Joey also commented: “Really really torn by this news by Taylor Swift… I really really hate the title. For someone who has been such a champion of doing things the right way, to not mention it’s basically Gracie Abram’s title feels very very strange. At best its tone deaf, at worst it’s a direct shot.”
Asia similarly wrote: “Is it not weird that Gracie Abrams already had a song called I Knew it, I Knew You?”
Taylor responded to the speculation, telling her 273 million followers that they were right after fans began speculating that she would feature on the soundtrack following a number of teasers from Pixar and her team. A series of ‘TS’ billboards – a play on Toy Story and Taylor’s shared initials – had started to appear in various cities, including London, Mexico City and Los Angeles, along with social media posts and mysterious countdowns hinting at the collab.
Referencing her hit song Love Story, Taylor shared a post on Instagram on Monday and said: “It’s a Toy Story. You knew it!”
“I’ve always dreamed of getting to write for these characters who I’ve adored since I was a five-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?”
Written and produced by Taylor and Jack Antonoff, the new song is inspired by the beloved cowgirl Jessie and marks a return to Taylor’s country roots. Andrew Stanton, the Toy Story 5 director and screenwriter, said having Taylor write and perform the song has been really ‘meaningful’ and said that the track ‘instantly’ felt like it belonged with the film.
“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.”
The track will be the first release by the singer since her chart-topping 12th studio album The Life Of A Showgirl came out last year. Earlier this year, she released the music video for her single Opalite, which is reportedly about her fiancé, NFL star Travis Kelce, and reached number one on the UK singles chart.
The latest Toy Story film sees Woody reunite with Buzz Lightyear, Cowgirl Jessie as they prepare to face off with technology. The film animation features the return of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack. In addition, Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny will play the forgotten toy known as Pizza With Sunglasses, along with US Traitors host Alan Cumming, who will voice the evil alter ego to horse Bullseye.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have set a date for their big day, confirming what’s basically a royal wedding for fans across the globe. But not everyone’s happy about it. After invites for the July 7 ceremony were sent out recently, one recipient said the fact she hadn’t been given a +1 for the event didn’t ‘feel totally fair’ — and even threatened to snub it altogether as a result.
The anonymous guest told the Daily Mail: “What am I supposed to do? Go alone? That is so awkward. I don’t think I am going to attend because I don’t want to go by myself and I am not sure I will know too many people there. I mean, sorry, I am not friends with Gigi and Bella Hadid!”
It’s not only A-listers being ruthless about guestlists though. According to The Knot, 40% of couples are now cutting down on numbers due to budgetary concerns, which makes sense given the average cost per head currently sits at £272 on average.
‘Ten or fifteen years ago, not offering plus ones would have been seen as a big no-no, but we’re seeing couples break traditions with all parts of their wedding, and the guestlist is also seeing the impact,’ says Chloe Lansdowne, senior marketing manager at Hitched.co.uk.
With a net worth exceeding $2 billion, money presumably isn’t a factor in the wealthiest female musician on earth’s decision to keep numbers down. But for most nearlyweds, it’s a natural consideration. Alison Hargreaves, founder and CEO of Guides For Brides, says cost is among the main reasons for couples to put a +1 freeze in place, telling: “Even for just the basic catering, food and wine with the meal, for a lot of weddings you’re looking at at least £100 per additional guest — more if there’s an open bar.”
In her view however, the ‘big driving factor’ behind this trend is actually intimacy; couples wanting to ‘feel comfortable’ among those that mean most to them.
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‘+1s are often strangers to the couple,’ Michelle Jacobs, UK-based destination wedding planner, tells. ‘While it might seem polite to extend the invitation to your guests’ significant others, it means couples might end up hosting people they have never met and have no relationship with.’
But while the motives for it may be understandable, it’s still controversial, and guests from all walks of life have some pretty strong opinions on +1 etiquette.
On a recent Reddit post about ‘the no +1 plague’, commenters said it was ‘common courtesy’ to make sure no one has to fly solo, as ‘travelling alone to a wedding sounds depressing.’
‘There are plenty of ways to save money when wedding planning that aren’t incredibly rude to your guests,’ wrote one, while another added: ‘I don’t want to spend my money or my time to come to your wedding, sit at a table with people I don’t know and have no one to talk to.’
Michelle, who has planned countless celebrations as Elegante by Michelle J, continues: ‘The sad truth is that I’m aware of many situations where there have been arguments over this issue and years later I hear that guests who were denied a +1 are still not speaking to the hosts. This of course is most unfortunate and will always cast a shadow over the celebrations if guest list issues have led to arguments.’
Alison likens it to child-free weddings, warning that guests may decline as a result of the rule — especially if it’s a multi-day affair or requires travel — while others may leave earlier or ‘feel they can’t really let their hair down and enjoy it’ without a partner.
‘The old policy always used to be “no ring, no bring”,’ she says ‘That seemed to work quite well, but what we’re seeing at the moment is definitely an extension of that.’
When this issue comes up for Michelle, she goes through both scenarios with the couple, looking at the consequences of each for them and the others in attendance. Ultimately, she respects that it’s up to the bride and groom. But if they do choose not to offer +1s, she recommends they think carefully about seating placements, and ‘ensuring that “single guests” will be “looked after” on the day as much as possible.’
Wedding industry veteran Alison adds that it’s important guests are aware of who’s invited early on — ideally as part of a save the date — and urges couples to ‘make sure it’s clear right at that stage what the policy is and the reason is behind it.’
Tread carefully though. While clarity avoids anyone uninvited turning up, being too direct or strict with +1 rules can lead to tension.
‘It does open up a can of worms,’ says Alison. ‘You can understand it from the couples’ point of view, particularly when you look at the costs and the want to keep it intimate and supportive, but it’s not going down well with guests.’
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