Celebrating a Triumphant Return to Country Roots
A Resounding Return to the Country Stage
Pop icon Taylor Swift has once again made a significant impact in the country music scene, securing a nomination for Single of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards for her 2026 release, "I Knew It, I Knew You." This recognition underscores her successful re-engagement with the genre.
A Decade in the Making: Swift's CMA Journey
This nomination marks Swift's first appearance at the CMA Awards since 2022, when she was nominated for Video of the Year for her collaboration "I Bet You Think About Me" with Chris Stapleton. Her last win at the CMAs was in 2017 for Song of the Year, acknowledging her songwriting contribution to Little Big Town's "Better Man." Remarkably, this is her first nomination in the Single of the Year category since 2013, over a decade ago, for her song "Highway Don't Care" featuring Tim McGraw and Keith Urban.
Contending with Country's Best
In the highly competitive Single of the Year category, Swift's "I Knew It, I Knew You" will vie for the award against other prominent country hits. These include Ella Langley's chart-topping track "Choosin’ Texas" and her newer release "Be Her." Lainey Wilson's "Somewhere Over Laredo" and Cody Johnson's "The Fall" also round out the formidable list of nominees.
"I Knew It, I Knew You": A Chart-Topping Phenomenon
Released in June as part of the soundtrack for "Toy Story 5," "I Knew It, I Knew You" quickly became a monumental success. The song dominated the Hot Country Songs chart, reached the top ten on the Country Airplay chart, and climbed to the coveted Number One spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Its remarkable debut also set a new precedent, becoming the first song by a female artist to be played by every country radio station reporting to Mediabase in its initial week of release.
Embracing Her Nashville Heritage
Swift has openly expressed her deep connection to her country music origins. In a rare interview for the Recording Academy's Icon Sessions, she articulated her growing appreciation and loyalty to her country roots, stating, "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 emphasized that the foundational experiences that shaped her as an artist and writer all took place in Nashville.
Tune in for the 60th Annual CMA Awards
Fans can anticipate the 60th annual CMA Awards, which will be broadcast on ABC and available for live streaming on Disney+ on November 18.