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

More than a week has passed since the global debut of "Toy Story 5," and audiences are still buzzing about an unexpected showstopper: the live premiere of Taylor Swift's original song, "I Knew It, I Knew You." As the closing credits began to roll, the cinema screen lifted to reveal Swift seated at a piano, performing the track for the first time in front of a live audience. The surprises, however, did not end there. Following her solo set, Swift invited Randy Newman—the legendary composer behind the franchise's most beloved music—to join her. Together, they delivered a heartfelt rendition of "You've Got a Friend in Me." Reflecting on the spontaneous duet in an interview with Variety, Newman explained how it all came together. "They asked if I would mind if Taylor Swift did this thing, and I said, 'No one’s ever going to say no to her,'" he recalled. "We had an hour, maybe an hour and a half [to rehearse]." This moment underscores how Swift’s involvement, even as a late addition, can elevate a film premiere into a full-blown cultural event. According to industry insiders, the premiere generated over 500 million social media impressions within the first 24 hours, a testament to Swift's unmatched ability to drive global conversation.

Newman, a Pixar stalwart whose credits include "A Bug’s Life," "Cars," "Monsters, Inc.," and every "Toy Story" film, admitted he was not concerned about Swift knowing the lyrics, given her well-documented status as a lifelong franchise fan. "She knew the song. There wasn’t anything to do," he said. However, he did express one worry: a key in the song might be too high for her, since most of it is written in E-flat major. He offered to transpose it, asking, "Do you want to do it in another key?" But Swift declined, confident in her vocal range. Newman also confessed to having doubted his own return for the fifth installment. "I thought maybe Tommy would get the job, but I’m glad I got it, and could round things up," he said, referring to his cousin and fellow composer Thomas Newman, known for his Oscar-nominated scores for "Finding Nemo" and "1917." For director Andrew Stanton, who declared himself "Team Randy" before the first film even had a composer, the decision to bring Newman back was obvious. "He’s got this right level of romanticism and cynicism," Stanton told Variety, noting that Newman’s music is as fundamental to the franchise’s identity as the toys themselves. This blend of sentiment and skepticism has been a hallmark of the series since its 1995 debut, helping it resonate with both children and adults. Notably, the "Toy Story" franchise has grossed over $3 billion worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing animated series in history.

In "Toy Story 5," the story revolves around a conflict between technology and playthings. The film opens with 50 new, technologically advanced Buzz Lightyear toys washing up abandoned on a desert island. As they escape, they become part of a larger rescue operation. For their musical motif, Newman created the cue "Making Land," which he describes as having "a real military feel with brass and percussion." He incorporated a male choir reminiscent of a marine choir, explaining, "It’s part of their whole makeup." The choir provided a fitting sound for the escape sequence, which involves machines and cranes. Newman recalled being influenced by the 1957 film "Lucky Jim," which featured a chorus singing, "Ah, Lucky Jim, how I envy him." "That may have had some influence," he said. For Bonnie, Newman used strings from the symphony orchestra to underscore her journey as she grapples with screen time and the meaning of real friendship. Meanwhile, for the film’s newest character, Lilypad (voiced by Greta Lee, known for her role in "Past Lives"), Newman initially envisioned an aggressive electric sound, but the sound team ultimately gave her her own gadgetry noises. This attention to sonic detail reflects Pixar’s broader commitment to world-building, where even the smallest character gets a distinct auditory identity. The studio has won 23 Academy Awards for its animated features, a record that underscores its dedication to craft.

Newman composed over 25 new cues for the film but did not integrate elements from Swift’s song into the score or into Jessie’s theme, which he describes as "up-tempo cowboy music." He explained, "When she wrote the song, it was late in the process." The soundtrack is set for release on June 19. Industry observers have noted that Swift’s involvement, while a late addition, has generated considerable buzz for the film, which is expected to draw both longtime fans and new audiences. A recent survey by Fandango indicated that 68% of respondents were more likely to see the film because of Swift's participation. The soundtrack preview is available below. As Pixar continues to evolve its storytelling, the partnership between Newman and Swift signals a willingness to blend tradition with contemporary pop culture, ensuring the franchise remains relevant for a new generation. This strategy mirrors Pixar's recent efforts to incorporate modern themes, such as in "Inside Out 2," which explored adolescent anxiety and grossed over $1.5 billion globally.