Who performed the song “When She Loved Me” in Toy Story 2?

Sarah McLachlan performed “When She Loved Me” in Toy Story 2.

The song is heard during Jessie’s flashback sequence, which shows her life with a girl named Emily. Jessie recalls being treasured as a toy before Emily grows older and eventually gives her away. The sequence explains Jessie’s fear of abandonment and adds a somber emotional layer to the film.

Randy Newman wrote the song and composed Toy Story 2’s score. McLachlan’s recording was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 72nd Academy Awards. The song did not win; the award went to “You’ll Be in My Heart” from Tarzan.

“When She Loved Me” is therefore different from “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” the recurring Toy Story theme also written by Newman. The two songs are connected to the franchise but serve very different emotional moments.