You've Got a Friend in Me

Randy Newman wrote and performed "You've Got a Friend in Me" as the main theme for the 1995 Disney/Pixar film Toy Story. The song quickly became the musical backbone of the entire franchise, appearing in Toy Story 2 (1999), Toy Story 3 (2010), Toy Story 4 (2019), and the upcoming Toy Story 5 (2026). Its simple melody and lyrics about unconditional friendship perfectly capture the bond between Woody and Buzz. The track earned nominations for the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe for Best Original Song.

The duet version with Lyle Lovett, released as a single on April 12, 1996, blends Newman's ragtime-inflected piano and nasal vocal style with Lovett's smoother, country-tinged voice. Produced by Don Was, this arrangement adds a roots/Americana flavor while preserving the original's playful warmth. The song serves as a leitmotif throughout the Toy Story series, with notable in-film covers including a diegetic performance by Tom Hanks as Woody in Toy Story 2 and a Spanish-language version by the Gipsy Kings in Toy Story 3. [edit]