Taylor Swift was featured answering questions during an “iHeartCountry House Party” on BOB 94.9 FM out of Harrisburg, Pa., Saturday night (Sept. 5). Why make a random appearance on Pennsylvania country radio this weekend?
Well, Swift made a return to country airplay this summer with “I Knew It, I Knew You,” the original song she penned for Toy Story 5 — and that track was the topic of conversation on Saturday. The station’s also based just about an hour west of Swift’s childhood home in Wyomissing, where she lived before bringing her family to Nashville to launch her country career.
Though Swift’s appearance was said to have a 7 p.m. ET start by the station, her voice didn’t get any airtime until about 7:45 p.m. Q&A clips with her were sparse from that point on, with just a few questions broadcast overall as it neared 10 p.m.
The 45-minute lead-up to any sign of Swift had a modern country playlist of singles like Morgan Wallen & Post Malone’s “I Ain’t Comin’ Back,” Lainey Wilson feat. John Mayer’s “Phone, Keys, Wallet,” Kip Moore’s “Somethin’ Bout a Truck” and Russell Dickerson’s “Worth Your Wild” before Swift’s latest hit, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” finally got airplay. Next up was Cole Swindell’s “Single Saturday Night,” Thomas Rhett’s “After All the Bars Are Closed” and, at last, a Swift classic, “Teardrops on My Guitar.” Soon the first question of the night for Swift came up.
She talked about her contribution to the Toy Story 5 soundtrack, zoning in on the beloved film franchise’s “legacy” musical landscape. Swift gushed that “it has a sonic world that Randy Newman has crafted so beautifully.” Fortunately, “I Knew It, I Knew You” got the “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” creator’s approval: “He told me he likes it, which is really all I need to know.”
“House Party” by Sam Hunt, “Hands Up” by Jelly Roll, “Painted You Pretty” by Hudson Westbrook, “Kid Myself” by John Morgan, “I Need Some Help” by Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen and “South of Sanity” by Zach Top all played on the station before host Wayne D tuned back in to Swift, who, now two decades into her career, offered some insight on having a successful songwriting session.
“One thing I’ve learned over the many years of studio sessions and writing sessions and working with people collaboratively is your energy and attitude you bring into the room can affect absolutely everything about the day,” said Swift, who added, “If you come in and act like you don’t want to be there, everyone else is gonna pick up on that.”
“Be enthusiastic about being able to be making art every day that you can make art,” Swift advised.
Many more country songs, by various artists, followed before Swift’s voice made a return on air, with what would be the most interesting piece of the night for Swifties, or anyone who loves to pore over a good lyric booklet.
Swift revealed she went into writing “I Knew It, I Knew You” with words that could support two interpretations.
“I love that the lyrics of this song are really being delved into by the fans. There are several lyrics that hav…