Prior to the song, Woody is trying to make amends with Jessie, who is greatly embittered with his refusal to be sold to a Tokyo toy museum with the rest of the toys; the museum won't take the gang without him, and if not sold, Jessie and the others will be placed in storage, a dreaded place due to her fear of the dark. Woody tells Jessie that, if only she knew his owner, Andy, she might understand why he wants to return to his home. He attempts to explain his bond with his owner to her, but she interrupts him, guessing that Woody's going to say that Andy's a "real special kid" and that Woody feels like he's alive when Andy's playing with him because, even though he's not moving, that's how Andy sees him.