The latest series from Amazon, The summer when I became pretty, is all about relationships, both romantic and platonic. It explores the importance of keeping those around you close and how uplifting good relationships are. The series’ soundtrack includes several romantic ballads that perfectly capture the essence of young romance.
Taylor Swift lent her voice to this series, releasing the highly anticipated Taylor version of this love. It’s easy to see how the rest of his discography fits perfectly with certain couples, or friends, on the show.
5 Belly and Conrad – You Belong To Me (Taylor Version)
By far the biggest romance on the show, Belly has had a crush on Conrad for as long as she can remember. This summer, she’s doing her best to get Conrad to notice her. The two grew up together, making it hard for Conrad to see Belly as anyone other than an old childhood friend. However, upon returning to the summer house, Conrad sees Belly in a different light, which leads to their blossoming summer romance.
One of Swift’s most iconic songs, “You Belong With Me,” feels like it was written specifically for Belly. The song follows someone who is desperate to get his crush to notice him, claiming he would be a perfect match, much like Belly. “If you could see I’m the one who understands you. I’ve always been here, so why can’t you see? You belong to me,” sounds like a direct thought from Belly’s inner monologue.
4 Belly and Jeremiah – The Way I Loved You (Taylor Version)
Jeremiah is almost like Belly’s second choice. She doesn’t see him as anything other than a best friend, but it’s clear that Jeremiah doesn’t feel the same way. He even admits it to Belly in a heartbreaking confession in the first season. Although like Conrad, he only started to see her in a different light this summer. Jeremiah finds himself stuck in a love triangle, with him and his brother fighting over the same girl.
There have been fan arguments that Jeremiah is the right choice for Belly; he is more sure of his emotions than Conrad ever is. Belly develops feelings for Jeremiah as the summer progresses, but it’s nothing compared to the passion she feels for Conrad. Swift’s song “The Way I Loved You” perfectly captures Jeremiah’s place in the love triangle, saying, “He opens my door and I get in his car. And he says, ‘You look gorgeous tonight. And I feel perfectly fine.” Belly can never bring herself to feel anything but superficial feelings for Jeremiah, much to her dismay. It’s the best example of unrequited love, a key theme in the stories of love.
3 Laurel and Susannah – Seven
Laurel and Susannah are best friends, they consider each other blood sisters despite having no relationship. They grew up together and raised their children together. They are the definition of childhood for adult best friends. As the only adults in the series, their friendship is explored in detail throughout the first series. The two are polar opposites, Laurel is a recent divorcee focused on her career, while Susannah is optimistic and carefree.
It’s clear that these two have a special bond, one that most people don’t get the chance to experience. Swift writes the words for it perfectly in “Seven,” saying, “I love you to the moon and to Saturn. Passed down like folk songs. Love lasts so long.” Laurel and Susannah’s friendship has truly passed down like folk songs; their friendship influenced their children and their relationships. It’s a beautiful song dedicated to friendship, and their friendship speaks to the importance of having healthy friends.
2 Taylor and Belly – Long live
Much like Lauren and Susannah, Taylor and Belly have been best friends since they were in elementary school. They are also opposites, Belly is shy while Taylor is outgoing and loud. Despite this, their friendship lasted for years, with the two understanding each other better than anyone. They also have their tough times, Taylor hiding her crush on Belly’s brother, Steven, which puts a strain on the friendship. However, like all good best friends, they eventually reconcile at the end of the season.
For all their friendship, it feels like it’s Belly and Taylor against the rest of the world. They find each other through everything, a sentiment that is expressed in Swift’s song “Love Live.” “Long live the walls we walked through. How the lights of the kingdom shone just for me and you.” These two have spent their entire lives creating memories together and hopefully will spend more of their lives as best friends.
1 Conrad and Jeremiah – The Best Day (Taylor Version)
Brothers Conrad and Jeremiah, two of the main characters, apparently have a good sibling relationship. They both care deeply for their mother, Susannah. Their bond is tested when it is revealed that they both have feelings for Belly, and they find themselves stuck in a love triangle and competing for her attention and love. They are going through typical growing pains expected of teenagers, but there is clearly a deep respect and love for each other regardless.
Swift has a few songs focused on her childhood, and none fit better than “The Best Day.” There’s a nostalgic innocence to the song, something that captures Conrad and Jeremiah’s brotherhood well. There are a handful of lyrics that are perfect, but the best one has to be “God smiles on my little brother. Inside and out, he’s better than me.” Despite their differences, they love each other very much and think highly of each other. It’s a refreshing representation of brotherhood.
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