Summer I Turned Pretty music played a pivotal role in Amazon Prime’s popular young adult drama, appealing to both Millennials and Gen X viewers while introducing younger audiences to iconic songs from the past. Showrunner Jenny Han carefully selected tracks from the 1990s and 2000s, mirroring the milestones of her characters and her own formative years.
In Season 1, Episode 2, Belly Conklin’s first kiss with Cam Cameron was scored by Wheatus’ “Teenage Dirtbag” (2000). The song’s early-aughts punk-pop vibe perfectly captured the innocence and awkwardness of teenage romance. TikTok trends later revived the track, connecting a new generation with the nostalgia of older viewers.
Season 2 leaned on One Direction’s “Steal My Girl” (2014) to score a flashback road trip with Belly and Conrad. Meanwhile, Des’ree’s “I’m Kissing You” (1996) accompanied their first intimate moment, evoking the classic teen romance feel reminiscent of Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet. These choices demonstrated how Summer I Turned Pretty music could blend emotional storytelling with generational resonance.
By Season 3, Han embraced more classic tracks. Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” (1975) highlighted Belly’s complicated relationship with her mother, while The Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses” (1971) played during a tender scene showing Conrad’s perspective. The finale featured U2’s “With or Without You” (1987) to underscore Conrad’s emotional confession, recalling memories from Millennials who grew up watching Friends.
Han’s curated soundtrack reinforced the series’ themes of growing up, first love, and nostalgia. The music choices not only supported the storytelling but also created viral moments and social media buzz. For more on classic TV soundtracks, see Billboard’s soundtrack highlights or Rolling Stone’s TV music coverage. Discover more about Amazon Prime’s series here.
