Toy Story 5 (soundtrack)
| Toy Story 5 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | June 19, 2026 | |||
| Recorded | 2025–2026 | |||
| Studios | Sony Scoring Stage, Sony Pictures Studios, Culver City, California | |||
| Genre | Film score | |||
| Length | 75:59 | |||
| Label | Walt Disney | |||
| Producers | ||||
| Randy Newman chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Toy Story 5 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | ||||
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Toy Story 5 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the film score composed by Randy Newman, and conducted by him and his cousin, Joey Newman, for the 2026 Disney/Pixar animated film Toy Story 5. It features Randy's score alongside an original song, "I Knew It, I Knew You" by Taylor Swift. The soundtrack album was released through Walt Disney Records on June 19, the same day as the film.
Background
[edit]Original score
[edit]"Randy has been a part of this journey for 30 years [...] His music is part of the DNA of these films. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of the story and these characters, and it makes all the difference because it allows you to lean into nostalgia and also break away from it and create something new. To have him back is huge."
Randy Newman, who composed the previous installments in the Toy Story film series, returned to score Toy Story 5.[2] It also marks Randy's first collaboration with the director Andrew Stanton, who had often collaborated with Randy's cousin Thomas for all of his previous animated directorial films, and also his 10th Pixar film overall. Randy considered being privileged to be connected with the Pixar franchise on this franchise, along with the Monsters, Inc. and Cars (first and third film) franchise.[3] Randy added that he had much fun on scoring Toy Story 5 over all the predecessors.[1]
As Toy Story 5 focuses on a clash between technology and toys, which involves higher stakes, Randy provided the cue "Making Land" as the musical motif, which he described as utilizing brass and percussion to bring a real military feel. He further incorporated a male choir, which was reminiscent of the marine choir as "part of their whole makeup". The choir served right for the escape sequence that involved machines and cranes. Randy stated that he was influenced by Lucky Jim (1957), which featured a chorus singing, "Ah, Lucky Jim, how I envy him" as the basis for the choir.[4]
For Bonnie's theme, Randy utilized strings from the symphony orchestra to underscore her journey as she grapples with the idea of screen time and differentiating online friends and real friendship. Jessie's theme was described as an "up-tempo cowboy music". For Lilypad, Randy initially envisioned an aggressive electric sound, but in the end, Lilypad's soundscape utilized her own gadgetry noises by the sound team. Overall 25 newer cues were written for Toy Story 5.[4]
Original song
[edit]Like the previous films, the music for Toy Story 5 revisits the themes and songs composed by Randy for the previous installments, including the song "When She Loved Me" for Toy Story 2 (1999), which was used for the nostalgia that reminds the audience of the emotional moments. The song "You've Got a Friend in Me" from the first film, which recurred in all the forthcoming installments of the franchise, is also featured in this film.[1][5]
On June 1, 2026, after widespread speculation, Taylor Swift announced that she had contributed an original song for the film, titled "I Knew It, I Knew You".[6][7][8] Swift, who attended an advance screening of the film, co-wrote and co-produced the song with Jack Antonoff and presented it to Disney CEO Bob Iger and President of Walt Disney Music Tom MacDougall, the latter served as the executive producer of the album.[9]
Regarding Swift's involvement, Randy complimented her to be "remarkably grounded and a really nice person, like a really nice Southern girl was what she was like".[3] Randy said that she had an half-an-hour to rehearse the song, and was not concerned about Swift not understanding the lyrics but felt that one of the keys might be too high as most of the songs were written in E-flat major, and asked her to do in another key which Swift politely refused. Randy further stated that Swift's song was not incorporated into the score or its themes, as it was a last-minute addition.[4]
Release
[edit]"I Knew It, I Knew You" was released as the lead single from the album on June 5, 2026.[10][11][12] The soundtrack to Toy Story 5 was released day-and-date with the film on June 19.[13] A CD version of the album released on September 16th, 2026 through Walt Disney Records. [14] A 2-LP vinyl set featuring the tracks also released.
Commercial performance
[edit]The song "I Knew It, I Knew You" topped the Billboard Global 200 chart, thereby becoming the first song from the Disney and Pixar film to reach the number one charts, and also Swift's seventh song to reach the number one charts.[8][15]
Reception
[edit]Helen O'Hara of Empire wrote "Randy Newman's score here dips regularly back into the melody of that Sarah McLachlan tearjerker to really tug the heartstrings".[16] David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter said that "the dulcet tones of Randy Newman's score" enables the film's poignancy.[17] Amy Nicholson of Los Angeles Times wrote "Randy Newman's score even drums up a rousing Viking chant".[18] Tim Grierson of Screen International wrote "[Randy] Newman's wistful Toy Story 5 score incorporates elements of 'When She Loved Me's' melody to touching effect, sonically weaving Jessie's anxiety into the film's fabric."[19]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Randy Newman and produced by Joey Newman except "I Knew It, I Knew You".
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Knew It, I Knew You" (performed by Taylor Swift) |
|
| 2:58 |
| 2. | "Buzzs" | 2:34 | ||
| 3. | "Tire Swing Hill" | 1:22 | ||
| 4. | "Tech Boom" | 3:06 | ||
| 5. | "Bonnie's New E-Friends" | 2:11 | ||
| 6. | "Calling Woody" | 4:40 | ||
| 7. | "Making Land" | 2:01 | ||
| 8. | "Back Home" | 2:46 | ||
| 9. | "Welcome Woody" | 4:05 | ||
| 10. | "Shed Toys" | 1:09 | ||
| 11. | "Smarty Pants" | 1:33 | ||
| 12. | "Man Down" | 0:38 | ||
| 13. | "The Drawer" | 2:53 | ||
| 14. | "Blaze" | 5:31 | ||
| 15. | "Bonnie Returns" | 1:52 | ||
| 16. | "Truce" | 1:59 | ||
| 17. | "Operation Jessie" | 2:05 | ||
| 18. | "Queen Jimmy" | 1:07 | ||
| 19. | "Hey Lily" | 4:20 | ||
| 20. | "Bad News" | 3:49 | ||
| 21. | "Interrogation" | 4:25 | ||
| 22. | "Breakdown" | 1:57 | ||
| 23. | "Buried Treasure" | 5:01 | ||
| 24. | "Highway Robbery" | 6:09 | ||
| 25. | "Reunion" | 3:16 | ||
| 26. | "Bonnie and Blaze" | 1:24 | ||
| 27. | "Happy Landing" | 1:08 | ||
| Total length: | 75:59 | |||
Personnel
[edit]Credits adapted from Film Music Reporter:[20]
- Music composer: Randy Newman
- Executive music producer: Tom MacDougall
- Music supervisor: Matt Walker
- Music producer: Joey Newman
- Vice president, music production: Andrew Page
- Music editors: Joe E. Rand, Ramiro Belgardt
- Orchestrator: Don Davis
- Recording and mixing: David Boucher
- SVP, music business affairs: Donna Cole-Brulé
- Manager, music production: Lauren Harrold
- Music production coordinator: Caleb Hsu
- Executive music assistants: Jill Heffley, Jimmy Tsai
- Digital score recordist: Kevin Harp
- Orchestra conductor: Joey Newman, Timothy Loo
- Choir conductor and contractor: Jasper Randall
- Music preparation: JoAnn Kane Music Service
- Music librarians: Mark Graham, Victor Pesavento
- Music clearance director: Debra Roberts
- Recording studio: Sony Pictures Scoring Stage
- Scoring crew: Greg Dennen, Jeff Fitzpatrick, Julianne McCormack, Assen Stoyanov, Damon Tedesco, Keith Ukrisna, Richard Wheeler Jr.
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2026) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[21] | 80 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[22] | 155 |
| Canadian Albums (Billboard)[23] | 91 |
| French Physical Albums (SNEP)[24] | 51 |
| UK Compilation Albums (Official Charts)[25] | 39 |
| UK Classical Albums (Official Charts)[26] | 2 |
| UK Soundtrack Albums (Official Charts)[27] | 4 |
| US Billboard 200[28] | 67 |
| US Kid Albums (Billboard)[29] | 1 |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard)[30] | 9 |
| US Soundtrack Albums (Billboard)[31] | 2 |
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Toy Story 5 – Production Notes" (PDF). The Walt Disney Company. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 19, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Randy Newman Scoring Pixar's Toy Story 5". Film Music Reporter. February 19, 2026. Archived from the original on June 2, 2026. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
- 1 2 Blanchet, Brenton (June 19, 2026). "Randy Newman on Toy Story 5, Taylor Swift and 30 Years of Soundtracking Pixar Magic: 'It's Been a Privilege' (Exclusive)". People. Archived from the original on June 20, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Tangcay, Jazz (June 19, 2026). "Randy Newman on Scoring 'Toy Story 5,' Using a Male Choir for Buzz Lightyear and Having Less Than an Hour's Notice to Duet With Taylor Swift". Variety. Archived from the original on June 20, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
- ↑ Starkey, Adam (June 18, 2026). "Every song on the 'Toy Story 5' soundtrack". NME. Archived from the original on June 20, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
- ↑ Willman, Chris (May 29, 2026). "'Toy Story' or Tay Story? Easter Eggs in New 'TS' Billboard Campaign Heighten Fans' Belief That Taylor Swift Is Involved in Pixar Sequel". Variety. Archived from the original on May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ Garner, Glenn (May 30, 2026). "'Toy Story 5' Has Swifties Speculating With 'TS' Billboard". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 30, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- 1 2 Willman, Chris (June 1, 2026). "Taylor Swift Reveals Original Song for Toy Story 5: 'I Knew It, I Knew You' − a 'Return to Country'". Variety. Archived from the original on June 2, 2026. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
- ↑ Willman, Chris (June 18, 2026). "Taylor Swift Wrote and Recorded 'I Knew It, I Knew You' in 8 Hours Right After Watching 'Toy Story 5': 'One of the Most Fun Days of My Life'". Variety. Archived from the original on June 19, 2026. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
- ↑ Swift, Taylor (June 5, 2026). "I Knew It, I Knew You". Apple Music. Archived from the original on June 5, 2026. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
- ↑ Pinder, Jaeden (June 5, 2026). "Taylor Swift Gives Jessie Her Flowers on Heartfelt Toy Story 5 Song". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 5, 2026. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
- ↑ Willman, Chris (June 5, 2026). "Taylor Swift's 'Toy Story 5' Song 'I Knew It, I Knew You' Debuts on Digital Services". Variety. Archived from the original on June 5, 2026. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
- ↑ Newman, Randy (June 19, 2026). "Toy Story 5 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Apple Music. Archived from the original on June 19, 2026. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
- ↑ "Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 5 Soundtrack / Randy Newman - CD | Shop the Disney Music Emporium Official Store". www.disneymusicemporium.com. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
- ↑ Trust, Gary (June 15, 2026). "A Whole 'Knew' Worldwide No. 1: Taylor Swift Debuts Atop Billboard Global 200 Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 17, 2026. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
- ↑ O'Hara, Helen (June 16, 2026). "Toy Story 5 review: A welcome return to philosophical form for Pixar's childhood saga". Empire. Archived from the original on June 20, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
- ↑ Rooney, David (June 16, 2026). "'Toy Story 5' Review: Joan Cusack's Cowgirl Jessie Takes the Lead to Impart a Sweet Lesson About the Rewards of Physical Play Over Screen Time". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 18, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
- ↑ Nicholson, Amy (June 18, 2026). "Review: AI meets angst in 'Toy Story 5,' in which the gang and the plot feel obsolete". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 20, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
- ↑ Grierson, Tim (June 16, 2026). "'Toy Story 5' review: Pixar successfully updates its hit animated franchise for a new digital age". Screen International. Archived from the original on June 16, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Music Team Credits — Toy Story 5". Film Music Reporter. June 19, 2026. Archived from the original on June 20, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Soundtrack – Toy Story 5" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Soundtrack – Toy Story 5" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Billboard Canadian Albums: Week of July 4, 2026". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Top Albums Physiques (Semaine du 2 octobre 2026)" (in French). Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique. Retrieved October 5, 2026.
- ↑ "Official Compilations Chart on 2/10/2026 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Official Classical Chart on 2/10/2026 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Official Soundtrack Albums Chart on 2/10/2026 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Billboard 200: Week of July 4, 2026". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Kid Albums: Week of July 4, 2026". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Independent Albums: Week of July 4, 2026". Billboard. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
- ↑ "Soundtracks: Week of July 4, 2026". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
