Two of the music industry’s biggest names, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Taylor Swift, are generating significant buzz for their contributions to upcoming films, which could potentially lead to Oscar nominations. As they prepare for the release of their respective songs—Miranda’s “Along the Way” for Disney’s live-action adaptation of Moana and Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You” for Toy Story 5—there is a possibility that both songwriters could compete in the Best Original Song category at the Academy Awards set for next March.
Miranda, renowned for his work on Broadway and film, attended the premiere of Moana on July 7, where he took the opportunity to express his admiration for Swift’s new track. During a conversation with PEOPLE, he highlighted his appreciation for Swift’s contribution to Toy Story 5, calling the song “really fun”. Miranda noted, “I love Taylor, and I love that song.” Despite the potential for Oscar recognition, he shared that his creative process is not centred on awards. “When you’re writing for characters, you’re not thinking about the Oscars. You’re thinking like, ‘How on earth do I pull this off? How can it feel honest and true?’” he reflected.
“Along the Way” marks Miranda’s return to the Moana franchise, after previously composing the original songs for the animated feature released in 2016. That film earned him his first Academy Award nomination for the hit “How Far I’ll Go.” Although he did not partake in the sequel set for 2024, he has returned with enthusiasm for the live-action version which is slated for release on July 10. The new song features performances by Catherine Laga’aia, who portrays Moana, alongside Dwayne Johnson and Auli’i Cravalho, the original voice of Moana who also serves as an executive producer for the film.
The inspiration behind “Along the Way” resonated with Miranda on a personal level. He shared a light-hearted moment when he realised his children, Sebastian and Francisco, were singing the tune spontaneously. “My poor kids have to listen to me singing to myself all the time and they understand that’s daddy’s job,” he explained. However, when he overheard his son singing, he felt reassured about the song’s appeal. “When I heard Frankie, my eight-year-old, going, ‘Along The Way,’ I was like, ‘Okay, we got it. Great. This passes the smell test,’” he said.
Meanwhile, Taylor Swift’s journey to crafting “I Knew It, I Knew You” involved an emotional connection to the Toy Story franchise. Upon returning from a screening of an early version of Toy Story 5, she took to Instagram to reveal that the inspiration for the song struck her immediately. The new record not only marks a fresh release for Swift since her last album, The Life of a Showgirl, but it also shattered records across multiple streaming platforms upon its release on June 5.
The character of Jessie, voiced by Joan Cusack, provided a crucial emotional anchor for Swift’s song. The narrative woven into the track reflects her interpretation of Jessie’s character and the broader themes present within the Toy Story narrative. As the anticipation builds for both films, the excitement around these original songs adds yet another layer to an already rich tapestry of beloved characters and stories.
As it stands, the musical talents of Miranda and Swift have ignited a new wave of enthusiasm among fans and industry insiders alike. The release of Moana is set for July 10, following the already successful launch of Toy Story 5, and both are being watched closely in the lead-up to the Oscar nominations later this winter.
With each artist striving to infuse their unique styles into these beloved franchises, moviegoers will have the opportunity to experience not only their favourite characters but also the fresh musical contributions that may define the next award season. Whether they will be competing against each other for the prestigious Oscar remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the upcoming winter awards season is shaping up to be an exciting one, bolstered by these standout tracks from two of the industry’s most celebrated figures.