Taylor Swift is back on top at country radio after more than a decade away. The pop superstar’s Toy Story 5 soundtrack hit “I Knew It, I Knew You” reached No. 1 on the U.S. country radio chart this week, marking her first song to top the list in 13 years. The achievement adds another chapter to a career that began in Nashville nearly two decades ago and reminds the music world of Swift’s enduring connection to her country roots.
The song’s climb to the top spot represents more than just a chart victory. It signals a full-circle moment for an artist who publicly declared herself no longer a country artist prior to releasing 1989 in 2014. Now, with a Toy Story soundtrack song, she has proven that the country music industry and its listeners are ready to welcome her back with open arms.
“I Knew It, I Knew You” reached No. 1 on the Mediabase country building chart this week, jumping from No. 4 last week. The song logged 9,641 plays as of September 6, more than 550 spins ahead of Luke Combs’ “Be By You” at No. 2, according to music industry trade publication HITS Daily Double.
The achievement marks Swift’s first U.S. country radio No. 1 hit in 13 years. It also serves as her 13th chart-topping song at U.S. country radio as a solo artist and her 14th overall when including her work as part of a duo or group. The milestone is particularly noteworthy given that Swift’s previous country radio No. 1 came long before her evolution into one of the biggest pop stars in the world.
The song, released by Walt Disney Records in association with Republic Records, was promoted to country radio by MCA. Its impact was immediate, with the single becoming the first country song by a woman to close the panel on its impact date. All 157 stations on Mediabase’s country reporting panel added “I Knew It, I Knew You” on its impact date, an unprecedented achievement for a female artist.
Swift’s return to the top of country radio after 13 years carries deep significance. The last time she held the No. 1 spot on country radio was in 2013 with “Red.” Since then, her career trajectory has taken her far from Nashville, transforming her into a global pop phenomenon with record-breaking album sales, sold-out stadium tours, and multiple Grammy Awards.
The 13-year gap represents the period during which Swift made her decisive shift from country to pop. Her 2014 album 1989 marked her official departure from the country genre, and she spent the following decade dominating pop charts worldwide. Returning to country radio at this point in her career demonstrates the breadth of her appeal and the enduring power of her songwriting across genres.
Country Radio Broadcasters Inc. executive director RJ Curtis welcomed Swift’s return to the genre, saying, “I have said for a while now that given the right song, country radio will support her again and welcome her back with open arms, and it looks like she delivered in a huge way.” His comments underscore the industry’s respect for Swift’s artistry and its willingness to embrace her return to country music.
“I Knew It, I Knew You” is an original song written for Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5. The track was released on June 5, 2026, and features songwriting and production by Swift and her longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff. The song draws inspiration from the Toy Story character Jessie, a yodeling cowgirl who shares Swift’s red-haired, country-tinged persona.
Swift explained the creative process behind the song during radio appearances, describing how she and Antonoff approached the project while honoring Toy Story composer Randy Newman’s musical legacy. “When I realized that we were gonna have the opportunity to write a song for ‘Toy Story,’ it really hit me the weight of this, like how lucky we were to get to sort of take up what Randy Newman has created and continue that legacy,” Swift said.
She described the goal as creating something that could sit alongside Newman’s work. “I just thought we’re gonna take these beautiful, you know, tapestries of musical art he’s created, brushstroke by brushstroke, and we’re gonna try to create something that would go in that collection,” Swift said. “That you could hopefully, like, hang next to those paintings on the wall if we were talking about paintings.”
The song debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it spent its first two weeks at the top and has remained in the Top 5 ever since. It also topped singles charts in the U.K., Canada, Australia, and Germany. The song’s global radio impact has been equally significant, reaching No. 1 in the U.K. for eight consecutive weeks and topping charts in New Zealand, Australia, Germany, and Ireland.
Swift’s return to country radio naturally invites reflection on her country music origins. The singer began her career in Nashville, releasing her self-titled debut album in 2006 when she was just 16 years old. The album, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2026, introduced Swift as a country prodigy with remarkable songwriting abilities.
During a recent conversation at the Grammy Museum, Swift spoke about feeling increasingly connected to her country roots as her career has progressed. “I love my country roots more and more the further along this path I get and I want to honor them more and more,” she said. “I feel more tied to them, more loyal to them… The people that shaped who I am as an artist and as a writer, that all happened in Nashville.”
Swift recalled how Nashville influenced her early ambitions, mentioning that she heard Faith Hill had been discovered at the Bluebird Cafe and made performing at the venue a personal goal. Looking back at her debut album, she pointed to her first single, “Tim McGraw,” as a song that hinted at what was to come, describing it as containing “hints at everything that was gonna happen in the next 20 years.”
Before her 13-year absence from the top of country radio, Swift established herself as one of the genre’s most successful artists of her generation. Her country radio No. 1 hits include chart-topping singles from albums such as Fearless, Speak Now, and Red.
Swift earned her first country radio No. 1 with “Our Song” in 2007, followed by a string of hits including “Love Story,” “You Belong with Me,” “Mine,” “Back to December,” and “Ours.” These songs established Swift as a dominant force in country music and earned her numerous awards, including multiple Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music honors.
The significance of the 13-year gap is heightened by Swift’s deep connection to the number 13, which has long held special meaning in her career. Fans have noted the numerical coincidence that her 13th solo country No. 1 came 13 years after her previous one, sparking conversation across social media.
The song’s rise to No. 1 on country radio resulted from a combination of factors. Its release as part of the highly anticipated Toy Story 5 soundtrack generated immediate attention, and Swift’s promotional push across country radio programs created additional momentum.
The song achieved an unprecedented milestone by being added by all 157 Mediabase country reporting stations on its impact date, making it the first country single by a woman to accomplish this feat. This widespread station support laid the foundation for its climb up the chart.
The song’s streaming performance also contributed significantly to its radio success. On Spotify, “I Knew It, I Knew You” became the most streamed country song in a single day by a female artist. It broke records on Apple Music among soundtrack singles for first-day listens and became the biggest country track of 2026 on that platform. On Amazon Music, the song achieved the biggest streaming day for any song so far in 2026.
Swift’s massive global audience also played a role. Her fans, known as Swifties, tuned into country radio programs in large numbers, downloading apps and sharing links to stations. The level of fan engagement demonstrated the continued enthusiasm for Swift’s music across all formats.
Swift’s journey from country prodigy to pop icon represents one of the most successful genre transitions in music history. Her 2014 album 1989 marked her official shift to pop, and the album’s massive success cemented her status as a global superstar. Subsequent albums, including Reputation, Lover, Folklore, Evermore, Midnights, and The Tortured Poets Department, further expanded her musical reach while maintaining her storytelling focus.
Despite her pop dominance, Swift has frequently returned to country-influenced sounds. Songs such as “Betty” from Folklore and “No Body, No Crime” from Evermore showcased her ability to write country-influenced material even as she continued to explore other genres. Her 2024 album The Life of a Showgirl also featured country elements, demonstrating that her country roots remain part of her artistic identity.
Swift’s return to country radio with “I Knew It, I Knew You” represents a natural continuation of this artistic evolution rather than a complete departure from her recent work. The song fits comfortably within her catalog while reminding listeners of the country foundations that launched her career.
Swift’s country radio No. 1 achievement carries significant implications for her career moving forward. It demonstrates that her appeal transcends genre boundaries and that she remains a dominant force in country music even after more than a decade away from the format.
The milestone also highlights the continued strength of Swift’s songwriting. “I Knew It, I Knew You” was written for a children’s film soundtrack, yet it has resonated with country radio audiences and topped charts worldwide. This versatility speaks to Swift’s ability to connect with listeners across different contexts and formats.
Industry observers and fans have speculated about what this return to country radio might mean for Swift’s future projects. Many fans believe her 13th studio album, tentatively referred to as TS13, could be a country album. While this remains unconfirmed, the promotional push behind “I Knew It, I Knew You” and Swift’s comments about honoring her country roots have fueled speculation.
The news of Swift’s country radio No. 1 generated significant excitement among fans and industry figures. Country Radio Broadcasters executive director RJ Curtis welcomed the achievement, praising Swift’s return to the genre. The industry response reflects a recognition of Swift’s songwriting prowess and her continued ability to connect with audiences across formats.
Fans took to social media to celebrate the milestone, with many noting the significance of the number 13 in Swift’s achievement. Some fans expressed excitement about the possibility of a country album from Swift, while others simply celebrated the return of her music to country radio.
However, the promotional campaign surrounding the song also generated some frustration. Several radio programs presented prerecorded audio from Swift as if it were live interview content, leading some fans to express disappointment when they realized the appearances were not live. One host, Kelly Sutton of WSM’s “Y’all Access,” was praised for being upfront about the prerecorded nature of Swift’s contribution.
In addition to her country radio achievement, Swift has been active with several notable career developments. She performed “I Knew It, I Knew You” for the first time last month in a medley alongside other hits “All Too Well” and “August” during the Grammy Museum’s Icon Sessions, presented by the Recording Academy’s Songwriters & Composers Wing. The live set marked her first performance since her July 3 wedding to Travis Kelce.
Swift also recently participated in a 20-year career retrospective at the Grammy Museum, where she discussed her country roots and songwriting journey. The conversation, titled “The Icon Sessions with Taylor Swift: A 20-Year Retrospective,” was recorded at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on August 18.
Looking ahead, Swift’s 20th anniversary as a recording artist has sparked renewed interest in her catalog and career trajectory. Fans and industry observers continue to watch for announcements about her next album and potential tours.
Why is Taylor Swift No. 1 on the U.S. country radio chart?
Taylor Swift reached No. 1 on the Mediabase country building chart with “I Knew It, I Knew You,” her Toy Story 5 soundtrack song. The song’s widespread radio adds, streaming success, and promotional push helped it climb to the top spot.
What song gave Taylor Swift her latest country-radio No. 1?
Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You” is the song that gave her the No. 1 spot on the U.S. country radio chart. The song was written for Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 and released on June 5, 2026.
How long had it been since Taylor Swift was No. 1 on country radio?
Taylor Swift’s last country radio No. 1 was 13 years ago. The exact time frame may vary depending on the specific chart, but it represents her first country radio No. 1 since the early 2010s.
What is “I Knew It, I Knew You”?
“I Knew It, I Knew You” is an original song written and produced by Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff for Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5. The country-influenced track was released on June 5, 2026, and has achieved global chart success.
Is Taylor Swift a country singer?
Taylor Swift began her career as a country artist but transitioned to pop with her 2014 album 1989. She has since released music across multiple genres, though she continues to incorporate country elements into some of her work.
How many country-radio No. 1 hits does Taylor Swift have?
Taylor Swift has 13 No. 1 hits on country radio as a solo artist and 14 total. This includes her recent achievement with “I Knew It, I Knew You.”
When did Taylor Swift move from country to pop?
Taylor Swift announced her transition from country to pop with the release of her 2014 album 1989. She had previously blurred genre boundaries with albums like Red (2012), which incorporated pop elements alongside country.
Why is Taylor Swift’s country-radio comeback significant?
Swift’s country radio comeback after 13 years demonstrates her enduring appeal across genres and her continued connection to her country roots. It also highlights her versatility as an artist and the strength of her songwriting across different musical contexts.