The Unforgettable TV Moments Where Taylor Swift’s Music Stole the Show

TV series like The Summer I Turned Pretty and Bridgerton have skillfully incorporated Taylor Swift's music to enhance their content through the use of memorable song choices.

In the first season of The Summer I Turned Pretty, the romantic scenes between Belly (played by Lola Tung) and Conrad (portrayed by Christopher Briney) were accentuated by Swift's poignant tracks, including "False God," "This Love (Taylor's Version)," and "Sweet Nothing."

Jenny Han, the creator, expressed her gratitude to the singer for accepting her music request. She stated in an interview with E! News in June 2022 that she was deeply moved by this opportunity. Jenny also mentioned how Taylor Swift's discography played a significant role in inspiring her writing process. As she listened to Swift's album Fearless, she found that the songs propelled her towards completing her work. Listening to music while writing helped her tap into the emotional essence of the story, and Swift's music specifically resonated with her while creating the series.

Han expressed her excitement for fans to experience the needle drops, emphasizing the strong connection between the music and the story. Recognizing the emotional attachment fans have to the books, Han understood the importance of this gift for both herself and the readers. In a surprising move, Heartstopper featured Swift's "Seven" in the season 2 finale, which aired in August 2023. The song played at a crucial moment when the main group of friends enjoyed themselves after prom.

Scroll down for more TV shows that used Swift’s discography for a memorable needle drop:

Credit: Casey Flanigan/imageSPACE/Shutterstock; Liam Daniel/Netflix

TV Shows That Featured Taylor Swift’s Music in Iconic Moments: From 'You' to 'Summer I Turned Pretty'

Taylor Swift's music, including "False God," "This Love (Taylor's Version)," and "Sweet Nothing," was skillfully incorporated into the romantic moments between Belly (Lola Tung) and Conrad (Christopher Briney) in season 1 of The Summer I Turned Pretty. This cleverly elevated the show's content with iconic needle drops.

Jenny Han, the creator, expressed her gratitude to the singer for granting her music request. In an interview with E! News in June 2022, Han shared how Swift's discography served as an inspiration and played a significant role in her writing process. Han stated, "I don't have words to describe how much it meant to me. It was my ultimate dream to feature one of her songs on this show. While listening to Fearless, I realized that these songs were instrumental in helping me reach the finish line. Whenever I write books, I find solace and emotional connection through music, and Swift's music truly resonated with me throughout the series."

Han expressed her heightened anticipation for fans to experience the melodious moments, emphasizing the enduring connection between her music and the story that has been established over the years since the publication of the first book. The significance of this connection holds great personal meaning to her, but more importantly, she understands the profound impact it has on those who hold these books dear to their hearts. This realization made Han believe that incorporating her music into the series was the ultimate gift she could offer to the devoted readers.

In a pleasantly surprising turn of events, Heartstopper captivated fans by featuring Swift's enchanting track "Seven" in the riveting season 2 finale, which premiered in August 2023. The placement of this music cue occurred during a pivotal moment when the main group of friends joyfully celebrated together after their prom.

Scroll down for more TV shows that used Swift's discography for a memorable needle drop:

Credit: Jessica Brooks/ABC/Kobal/Shutterstock

'Grey's Anatomy'

The crucial season 5 scene in the popular medical drama featured a momentous sequence in which Owen (Kevin McKidd) shared a passionate kiss with Cristina (Sandra Oh), while Miranda (Chandra Wilson) instructed Alex (Justin Chambers) to reset the operating room clock.

Credit: 20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock

'New Girl'

Shortly before Swift played a minor character in the second season of New Girl, Nick (Jake Johnson) attempted to uplift Jess (Zooey Deschanel) by dancing to her songs. Jess observed Nick bouncing around to the tune of "22" after her breakup with Sam (David Walton) before requesting her roommate to grant her some tranquil moments to listen to Swift.

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix

'Bridgerton'

During the first season of the popular Netflix series, Daphne (portrayed by Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon (portrayed by Regé-Jean Page) embarked on their honeymoon, accompanied by a captivating instrumental rendition of “Wildest Dreams” that enhanced the atmosphere.

Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

'You'

Viewers were in for a surprise when "Anti-Hero" highlighted Joe's (Penn Badgley) point of view during the conclusion to season 4. 

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon Studios

'The Summer I Turned Pretty'

The Summer I Turned Pretty has elegantly incorporated Swift's discography throughout the Prime Video series. From the enchanting melodies of "Lover" to the heartfelt emotions in "August" and the subtle connections portrayed in "Invisible String," each song serves as a poignant backdrop to key scenes, particularly those shared between Belly and Conrad.

Credit: Chuck Hodes/FX

'The Bear'

Richie (played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach) experienced a glorious moment on The Bear when the episode featured the enchanting tune of "Love Story (Taylor’s Version)". This poignant scene in season 2 offered a heartfelt glimpse into Richie's elation as he finally discovered his true calling after enduring numerous challenges and setbacks in his professional life.

Credit: Samuel Dore

'Heartstopper'

In the season 2 finale, Heartstopper chose "Seven" as the song to capture the atmosphere of Tara (Corinna Brown) and Darcy's (Kizzy Edgell) heartfelt declaration of love. This melodic choice remained in the background while each member of the group of friends savored joyful memories in their own lives.