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Taylor Swift Nominated for CMA Single of the Year After 10-Year Absence
After a decade away from the country‑music spotlight, Taylor Swift has re‑entered the conversation with a nomination that could signal a new chapter in her long‑standing relationship with the genre.
The 60th annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards announced that Swift’s track “I Knew It, I Knew You” has earned a spot in the Single of the Year field. The song, which appears on the soundtrack for Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5, marks the singer’s first CMA recognition in four years and her first appearance at the ceremony since 2016.
When the nominees were revealed on Thursday, September 10, 2026, Swift shared the news on her Instagram story. In the clip she wrote, “LOOKS LIKE I HAVEN’T YEE’D MY LAST HAW THANK YOU CMA!!!! See you there Nov. 18 🤠.” The announcement came after the country‑music community noted that Swift’s last nomination was in 2022 for “I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version)” featuring Chris Stapleton.
“I Knew It, I Knew You” debuted earlier in 2026 as part of the Toy Story 5 soundtrack. The song was co‑written and produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff, with Laura Sisk handling the mix. In a statement released alongside the track, Swift said the experience felt “like a musical departure and coming home at the same time.” She added that the project was a new challenge that also felt “second nature” and that her lifelong love of the Toy Story franchise made the experience “an adventure I plan to be on, to infinity and beyond.”
The single’s country‑oriented sound has drawn attention from the CMA, an organization that has historically celebrated artists who blend pop and country elements. The 60th ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Lainey Wilson will host for her third straight year, and the event will air live on ABC and Disney+ at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, with a subsequent streaming broadcast on Hulu the following day.
Swift’s roots in country music run back to her 2006 self‑titled debut album. Over the past two decades she has earned 12 CMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year in 2009 and 2011, placing her among eight female artists to have received that honor. The nomination for “I Knew It, I Knew You” places her alongside contemporary country singles from Ella Langley, Luke Combs, and others.
While the winner remains undecided, the nomination itself underscores Swift’s continued influence on country‑music production and songwriting. The 2026 CMA Awards will also feature performances and presentations from a range of country artists, though the full lineup has yet to be released. Tickets are available through the CMA’s official website.
In short, Taylor Swift’s nomination for Single of the Year marks a return to the country‑music stage after a ten‑year absence, fueled by a track that blends her pop sensibilities with a country‑oriented sound for the Toy Story 5 soundtrack. The ceremony will take place on November 18, 2026, at Bridgestone Arena and broadcast on ABC, Disney+, and Hulu, with the outcome of the award and its broader impact on Swift’s career still to be seen.
The 60th annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards announced that Swift’s track “I Knew It, I Knew You” has earned a spot in the Single of the Year field. The song, which appears on the soundtrack for Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5, marks the singer’s first CMA recognition in four years and her first appearance at the ceremony since 2016.
When the nominees were revealed on Thursday, September 10, 2026, Swift shared the news on her Instagram story. In the clip she wrote, “LOOKS LIKE I HAVEN’T YEE’D MY LAST HAW THANK YOU CMA!!!! See you there Nov. 18 🤠.” The announcement came after the country‑music community noted that Swift’s last nomination was in 2022 for “I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version)” featuring Chris Stapleton.
“I Knew It, I Knew You” debuted earlier in 2026 as part of the Toy Story 5 soundtrack. The song was co‑written and produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff, with Laura Sisk handling the mix. In a statement released alongside the track, Swift said the experience felt “like a musical departure and coming home at the same time.” She added that the project was a new challenge that also felt “second nature” and that her lifelong love of the Toy Story franchise made the experience “an adventure I plan to be on, to infinity and beyond.”
The single’s country‑oriented sound has drawn attention from the CMA, an organization that has historically celebrated artists who blend pop and country elements. The 60th ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Lainey Wilson will host for her third straight year, and the event will air live on ABC and Disney+ at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, with a subsequent streaming broadcast on Hulu the following day.
Swift’s roots in country music run back to her 2006 self‑titled debut album. Over the past two decades she has earned 12 CMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year in 2009 and 2011, placing her among eight female artists to have received that honor. The nomination for “I Knew It, I Knew You” places her alongside contemporary country singles from Ella Langley, Luke Combs, and others.
While the winner remains undecided, the nomination itself underscores Swift’s continued influence on country‑music production and songwriting. The 2026 CMA Awards will also feature performances and presentations from a range of country artists, though the full lineup has yet to be released. Tickets are available through the CMA’s official website.
In short, Taylor Swift’s nomination for Single of the Year marks a return to the country‑music stage after a ten‑year absence, fueled by a track that blends her pop sensibilities with a country‑oriented sound for the Toy Story 5 soundtrack. The ceremony will take place on November 18, 2026, at Bridgestone Arena and broadcast on ABC, Disney+, and Hulu, with the outcome of the award and its broader impact on Swift’s career still to be seen.
