The Summer I Turned Pretty was the show of the summer in 2022. Based on the book trilogy by Jenny Han, the Prime Video series was a hit and was preemptively renewed for a second season. The series follows Belly (Lola Tung), a teen girl, as she spends her summer with her mother Laurel (Jackie Chung)’s friend Susannah Fisher (Rachel Blanchard), and her boys Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno). However, this summer is a bit different from previous ones, especially as love triangles begin to form.

One of the highlights of the first season was the number of Taylor Swift songs included on the soundtrack. Five were featured across the seven-episode season, including the debut of ‘This Love (Taylor’s Version)’ in the series trailer. The soundtrack as a whole is filled with popular artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Frank Ocean, and Phoebe Bridgers.

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Much of what was included was from her newer albums. But, there are several in her back catalog that would work well for the rollercoaster Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah are on during the second book of the series It’s Not Summer Without You, which is presumably what the second season is based on.

Let’s discuss some Swift songs that would be perfect for the next season’s soundtrack.

Haunted Is Perfect for The Prom Scene

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In It’s Not Summer Without You, Belly and Conrad are in a situationship of sorts. They are seemingly together, but trying to get Conrad to do things is like pulling teeth for Belly, and the two have never defined their relationship. She is super excited about the prom, but getting Conrad to go is a whole other issue.

The night starts off on a rough note, with Conrad forgetting to bring the corsage he claims he bought. Once they arrive, he isn’t interested in dancing or doing other activities that are common for the prom. Belly is hopeful they can go to an after-party, but the two have a falling out when Conrad wants to head back to campus that night instead of the following morning as originally planned.

The lyrics of ‘Haunted’ perfectly encapsulate what Belly is experiencing at this moment. “Come on, come on, don’t leave me like this,” is Belly begging him not to go, knowing that whatever is between them dies the moment he gets in the car and heads back to his dorm. “I thought I had you figured out,” references that the teen thought she knew what was going on in Conrad’s head, but now knows she never did. The entire song is a great representation of their journey since the previous summer, as they “walk a fragile line” of not knowing what they are and neither wanting to be the one to break it off.

While being perfect for the scene, the song is on the album Speak Now, which has yet to be rerecorded as part of the singer’s efforts to own her masters. Including it on the season 2 soundtrack would be the perfect way to debut Taylor’s Version of the song.

Everything Has Changed Is Best for Jeremiah’s Journey

Unlike the first book, the second includes chapters from Jeremiah’s point of view. In particular, one chapter details when everything changed for him in his relationship with Belly. Up to that point, he had seen her as a friend. But, he knows the exact point that changed and how it altered the trajectory of his life from that point forward.

‘Everything Has Changed,’ a song featured on Red, is a great way to show this moment. The first season featured similar flashback scenes to the book, and it’s likely the second season will as well. If the new season includes the flashback of Jeremiah’s realization, this song would be perfect over top of it. The song describes waking up one morning and suddenly something has changed between two friends, which represents what happens to the younger Fisher brother well.

And, as an added bonus, the singer has already released the Taylor’s Version of this song, meaning the series should be able to easily use the new version.

This Is Me Trying Encapsulates the Characters’ Grief

The end of the first season revealed Susannah’s cancer return. Though she had previously beat breast cancer, she did have a recurrence. If the series follows the second book, then audiences will have to watch as everyone deals with the aftermath of Susannah’s death. This is the catalyst for the main events of the book, influencing Conrad’s decisions and causing Jeremiah and Belly to go after him.

One of the singer’s most recent songs would work well in a montage scene, watching the characters go through the funeral and associated events. ‘This Is Me Trying’ from Folklore would describe the grief they’re going through, but also how much Belly wishes Susannah was still around to talk to. She sees her as someone to go to for advice, and that’s been ripped away from her.

It also represents Conrad’s emotions well. He realized that his mom’s cancer had come back before she told her sons, and bared that burden alone. He knew there was nothing he could do to stop it, but he felt he had to shoulder the pain on his own, even after her death.

While we couldn’t include everything here, other great additions could include ‘You’re Not Sorry’ from her first album, ‘The Way I Loved You’ from Fearless, and ‘Back to December’ from Speak Now. This doesn’t include songs from other artists that could work well, like ‘would you love me now?’ by Joshua Basset or ‘Someone To You’ by BANNERS.

With a release date yet to be revealed, check out the soundtrack moments that defined the first season.