Here are the songs that inspired me as I wrote each chapter of The Cicada Spring. You can find ready-made playlists by searching “The Cicada Spring Playlist” on Spotify, iTunes, and Amazon Music. Enjoy!

Prologue

  1. The Boys of Summer – Don Henley

Part 1: Florida
Chapter 1: Rites of Passage

  1. Welcome to New York (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift
  2. What Was I Made For? (Barbie soundtrack) – Billie Eilish
  3. Please Come to Boston (Live) – Kenny Chesney
  4. Airplanes – B.o.B., Hayley Williams

Chapter 2: Love Struck

  1. Blank Space (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift
  2. Cut to the Feeling – Carly Rae Jensen
  3. Love is an Open Door (Frozen Soundtrack) – Kristen Bell, Santino Fontana
  4. Marry You – Bruno Mars

Chapter 3: Seasons of Change

  1. Breakaway – Kelly Clarkson
  2. Vivir Mi Vida – Marc Anthony
  3. These Are Days – 10,000 Maniacs

Chapter 4: Pour Me

  1. Everywhere – Michelle Branch
  2. I Choose You – Sara Bareilles
  3. Rum & Redbull – Beenie Man, Future Fambo, Seanizzle
  4. Comedown – Bush

Chapter 5: Living the Dream

  1. Bailando (English Version) – Enrique Iglesias, Sean Paul, Descemer Bueno, Gente de Zona
  2. Anti-Hero – Taylor Swift

Chapter 6: Hope Floats

  1. Despacito (Remix) – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, Justin Bieber
  2. Firework – Katy Perry
  3. Hold My Hand – Lady Gaga

Chapter 7: The Devil in the Details

  1. Forever & Always (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift
  2. I Knew You Were Trouble (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift

Chapter 8: Runaway Train

  1. Runaway Train – Soul Asylum
  2. Bad Moon Rising (Remastered 1985) – Creedence Clearwater Revival
  3. 100 Years – Five for Fighting

Part 2: Virginia
Chapter 9: Homecomings

  1. She Used to Be Mine – Sara Bareilles
  2. Wake Me Up When September Ends – Green Day

Chapter 10: Life Interrupted

  1.  Daylight – Taylor Swift

Chapter 11: Friends for Low Places

  1. Unwell – Matchbox Twenty
  2. Amazing Grace – Carrie Underwood

Chapter 12: A Patchwork Life

  1. Just Give me a Reason – Pink, Nate Ruess

Chapter 13: What We Leave Behind

  1. Blinding Lights – The Weekend
  2. Strangers – Kenya Grace

Chapter 14: Pour Decisions

  1. Just Like a Pill – Pink
  2. Whiskey Glasses – Morgan Wallen
  3. You’re No Good – Linda Ronstadt

Chapter 15: Lost and Found

  1. Unstoppable – Sia

Chapter 16: Dreamweaver

  1. Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Green Day
  2. Crazy in Love – Beyonce, Jay-Z

Chapter 17: Potomac Shores

  1. Dream Weaver – Gary Wright

Chapter 18: Dog Days

  1. Physical – Dua Lipa
  2. Shallow – Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper

Chapter 19: Sweet Child of Mine

  1. Sweet Child of Mine – Guns ‘n’ Roses
  2. The Eagle and the Hawk – John Denver

Chapter 20: Life Quakes

  1. Hurricane – Luke Combs
  2. Landslide (Live 1977) – Fleetwood Mac

Part 3: Potomac Shores
Chapter 21: Bonfire Voices

  1. Girl on Fire – Alicia Keys

Chapter 22: Tribal Knowledge

  1. Umbrella – Rihanna, Jay-Z
  2. Karma – Taylor Swift
  3. Roar – Katie Perry

Chapter 23: Forgiveness

  1. Let It Go (Frozen Soundtrack) – Idina Menzel

Chapter 24: A Forever Love

  1. Amazing Grace – The Royal Scots Dragoon
  2. Always Remember Us This Way – Lady Gaga

Chapter 25: Belonging

  1. Flowers – Miley Cyrus

Chapter 26: The Cicada Spring

  1. Lose Control – Teddy Swims
  2. Time of the Season (Remastered) – The Zombies 

Epilogue

  1. How Far I’ll Go (Moana soundtrack) – Alessia Cara
  2. Fight Song – Rachel Platten