
When animation fans think of the geniuses behind The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, or Inside Out, Disney’s relationship with the legendary animation firm Pixar is inextricably linked. Even before Walt Disney Studios bought the studio in 2006, the father of the iPhone was related to the company’s prosperous beginnings. According to Newsweek, Steve Jobs, Apple’s co-founder, gave famed director George Lucas $5 million for his Computer Division, prompting the pioneer to become Toy Story’s Executive Producer.
Steve Jobs was more than simply a boon for Pixar and Disney. His impact as a visionary leader and astute intellect enabled the company to clinch a three-picture deal with the Mickey Mouse studio for 3D animation. However, when making the world’s first feature-length computer-animated film, Jobs had an unexpected musical vision for the project, which would have altered the overall tone of Toy Story’s message of friendship, loyalty, and childhood memories.
Steve Jobs wanted Bob Dylan to sing the soundtrack for ‘Toy Story’

Steve Jobs’ participation with Pixar extended beyond economic decisions to a remarkably hands-on role in the artistic process. One famous example of his creative contribution was the Toy Story soundtrack! According to Walter Isaacson’s 2011 biography, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Jobs first connected over their love of Bob Dylan’s music in the early days of Apple, with Wozniak stating, “We’d buy brochures of Dylan lyrics and stay up late interpreting them.” The Steve Jobs biography also hinted at the Apple CEO’s Dylan fixation, so it’s no surprise that the long-time fan would push for his favourite musician to be on the film’s soundtrack.
As the Executive Producer, Jobs did not have as much creative control over Pixar’s Toy Story as one might expect. He imagined that Bob Dylan’s folk-rock approach and lyrical narrative could give Woody and Buzzlightyear’s adventures a distinct depth and resonance. According to Newsweek, Jobs openly admired Dylan for his inventiveness and anti-establishment mindset, attributes he recognised in himself and Pixar, a firm aiming to break traditional animation rules. Jobs felt Dylan’s music would complement Pixar’s ambition to create a film that was both inventive and emotionally engaging.
Bob Dylan’s music has long been praised for creating lyrics on moral issues such as love and war, protests, and religion, which contrasts with Toy Story’s G-rated plot about toys that come to life while humans are not there. Pixar’s success was built not only on pioneering computer-generated visuals, but also on storyline that could emotionally resonate with people of all ages, and Jobs regarded Dylan as someone who might help achieve this goal. However, Pixar’s creative team, which included director John Lasseter and co-writer Andrew Stanton, took a different musical approach.
Randy Newman’s musical style fit perfectly with the theme of friendship in ‘Toy Story’.
The writers of Toy Story argued that, while Bob Dylan’s music was unquestionably striking, it might not be appropriate for the film’s light-hearted tone. Lasseter and Stanton envisioned Toy Story as a delightful, joyful journey that required a sound that would appeal to families and young viewers without becoming too sophisticated. They believed Randy Newman was the better match.

Newman’s music, known for its blend of humour, warmth, and compassion, evoked a sense of youthful wonder while also conveying nostalgia. The musician’s blues and Dixieland jazz style added a relatable vibe to Toy Story, wonderfully complementing the innocence of its main protagonists, Woody and Buzz. In a 2019 interview, Randy Newman noted that Pixar believes he is a master in emotion, which is what music excels at. So those parts at the end, I believe they wanted me, especially when Woody makes a decision and everyone is confused and embraces one other.
Randy Newman ultimately composed one of Pixar’s most memorable film scores, as well as penning three new songs: “Strange Things,” “I Will Go Sailing No More,” and the legendary tune “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” The famous song captured the essence of Andy’s bond with his toys and became a significant component of Toy Story’s financial and critical success. “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” cemented Randy Newman’s status as a Pixar hero, earning him a legendary spot in the Disney Song Hall of Fame.
Bob Dylan, of course, has made significant contributions to cinema, despite never joining the Pixar family. His songs have been featured in films such as Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, where he wrote “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” Finally, Pixar’s decision to work with Randy Newman paid off, establishing the studio’s industry-defining vision. Despite Steve Jobs’ failure to include his favourite idol in Toy Story, his exceptional vision ushered in a new era for Disney and Pixar, one that has survived across decades.