With so many television viewing options, a captivating soundtrack can elevate a series from entertaining to truly unforgettable. The Summer I Turned Pretty, a coming-of-age drama based on Jenny Han’s beloved novels, is a prime example of this phenomenon. The show is centered around Isabel “Belly” Conklin (Lola Tung), who spends every summer at Cousins Beach with her family and family friends- including brothers Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno). This summer, Belly arrives mature and confident, leading to a shift in her dynamic with the boys. Harboring feelings for Conrad since she was twelve, she navigates the challenges of him becoming distant and Jeremiah, his playful brother, seeing her in a new light. Deeper emotional challenges unfold in season one, including family tensions and secrets, particularly surrounding Susannah Fisher’s (Rachel Blanchard) battle with cancer.
The show's first season is a testament to how music can enhance a story's emotional depth and resonance. Season one’s soundtrack explores the series’ themes of love, loss, and personal growth. From poignant melodies that underscore crucial moments, such as first kisses, to tracks that capture the essence of summer, music shapes the season into a musical and emotional journey.
Lola Tung
Christopher Briney
Gavin Casalegno
Sean Kaufman
Jackie Chung
Rachel Blanchard
Alfredo Narciso
Minnie Mills
Episode One: Summer House
The season begins with a burst of nostalgic energy as Electric Light Orchestra’s “Mr. Blue Sky” sets the tone in the opening montage. The clip shows Belly, her brother Steven (Sean Kaufman), Conrad, and Jeremiah’s adventures at their beach house in Cousins Beach. The sequence shows the development of the four as they grew up and spent their summers together. Humorously, the infamous “Belly Flop” is shown in the clip as the three boys throw Belly into the pool.
Later in the episode, Taylor Swift’s romantic hit “Lover” plays the first time Belly lays eyes on Conrad that summer. The song mirrors her long-standing crush and admiration that only grows stronger when she sees him again. Despite her changes, the boys (especially her brother Steven) still see her as a kid.
Previously uninvited every summer to the annual beach party, Belly decides to go this year. Cardi B’s energetic “Up” accompanies her journey to the beach, displaying her goal of showing everyone she is more grown up than they think.
Episode Two: Summer Dress
Episode two, “Summer Dress,” continues the complexities of first love and fleeting connections. After meeting Cam (David Iacono) at the beach party, they start hanging out nonstop. Shortly in the episode, Wheatus’ “Teenage Dirtbag” plays as they share their first kiss. The song captures the awkwardness between them and amplifies Belly’s hidden desire to be with Conrad instead. The song choice is somewhat ironic as she is nowhere near close to being a teenage dirtbag. However, her sudden change in attitude and desire for adventure makes it resonate.
Along with chasing after boys, Belly spends her summer preparing for the Cousins Beach debutante ball. The ball is something that she never wanted to participate in, but as Susannah doesn’t have a daughter, she wants to make her happy, so she agrees to attend. Belly, Susannah, and Belly’s mother, Laurel (Jackie Chung), embark on a shopping trip to find the perfect dress. “Ice Cream” by BLACKPINK ft. Selena Gomez plays in the background, amplifying the summer vibes.
Episode Three: Summer Nights
It’s Belly’s birthday! Despite her best friend Taylor (Rain Spencer) coming to visit, she feels nothing but disappointment. Alessia Cara’s emotional track “You Let Me Down” plays as Conrad tells Belly he forgot her birthday and didn’t get her anything. The name of the song quite literally describes her feelings.
As the group celebrates with an afternoon at the pool, Dayglow’s “Can I Call You Tonight” sets the carefree vibe.
After that, Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Your Type” plays as Belly discovers that Conrad did remember her birthday, an unexpected twist that leaves her feeling both elated and conflicted.
To add to the conflict in her life, she walks in on Taylor and her brother Steven kissing at a party she and Taylor later attend. Billie Eilish’s heartbreak anthem “Happier Than Ever” plays as she walks in on them. In an interview, Eilish described the song as a reflection of all the times she had been betrayed and mistreated. This perfectly encapsulates Belly’s feelings in the moment.
Episode Four: Summer Heat
Things heat up emotionally and literally as Caveboy’s “Something Like Summer” accompanies Belly's rebellious day, throwing back margaritas. Initially, she and her friends were playing a drinking game, but determined to show everyone how adult she is, she completely overdoes it.
The energy is palpable, yet simmering tension boils over when Taylor Swift’s “False God” plays during a near-kiss between Belly and Conrad. They sit at the edge of the dock, and just as they lean in, their moment is interrupted by a jealous Jeremiah, who sets off fireworks above them. Creator Jenny Han noted that this was one of her favorite musical placements in the show.
Episode Five: Summer Catch
Jeremiah steals the show in this episode with his spontaneous, carefree nature. During a rehearsal for the debutante ball, he crashes the event and pulls the ladies onto the dance floor as Reyanna Maria’s “So Pretty” pulses in the background. The song's energy equally matches Jeremiah’s and serves as a poignant reminder of the personality difference between him and Conrad.
After the almost kiss in episode four, Belly decides she can’t lead Cam on any longer. Bruno Mars's melancholy tune “Places We Won’t Walk” plays in the background while they break up.
Determined to finally get things moving with Conrad, “Be Sweet” by Japanese Breakfast plays as she is psyching herself up to confess her feelings.
Things don’t go well, so she meets up with Jeremiah, and they kiss in the pool. The producers love a literal song. “ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?” by Tyler, The Creator, plays during the kiss, showing their step beyond normal friendship.
Episode Six: Summer Tides
The stakes are higher than ever as the season nears its end. When Conrad finally opens up to Belly and gives her the necklace he had gotten her for her birthday, Billie Eilish’s haunting “When the Party’s Over” plays, reflecting the end of an era for them. Lyric, “Call me friend but keep me closer,” plays as they look at each other, seemingly about to kiss. Instead, Belly turns around and walks away, saying he is too late as Belly shifts her attention to Jeremiah.
Tyler, the Creator’s “WUSYANAME” echoes in scenes featuring Jeremiah as he prepares for a party following a volleyball tournament between him, Belly, and Taylor, capturing his uncertainty about his place in Belly’s heart. Tyler, The Creator, is frequently used in Jeremiah and Belly scenes as a marker of their growing relationship.
Episode Seven: Summer Love
The season finale is a rollercoaster of emotions, perfectly scored with songs that match each moment’s intensity. As the debutante ball approaches, Taylor Swift’s “The Way I Loved You (Taylor’s Version)” plays during a critical moment when Jeremiah is nowhere to be found at the debutante ball. Conrad steps in to dance with Belly as her suitor. The song perfectly captures the tension between the brothers and Belly’s shifting affections. While she tries to push away Conrad, she ultimately loves him deep down.
But the most significant emotional hit comes with Phoebe Bridgers’ “Funeral,” playing during the revelation of Susannah’s cancer diagnosis. As the reality of her illness sinks in, the song’s haunting lyrics and melody mirror the sadness and helplessness felt by Belly, Laurel, and Steven as they grapple with the news. The episode ends on a somber note as Susannah tells her sons that she’s unwilling to try experimental treatment, leaving everyone devastated.
Check out the full The Summer I Turned Pretty soundtrack here.