Let’s rewind 10 years to when the Upper East Side was the talk of the town — and it’s not because of the grand buildings or tourist attractions. When Gossip Girl was airing, pretty much every girl wanted a Blair Waldorf headband or a Constance Billard uniform. Luxurious parties, insane gossip and one-of-a-kind relationships made this show unmatched. If you haven’t lived through all six seasons of this hit series, I highly recommend going onto HBO Max and doing so right now. As a fellow music addict, one of the reasons I immediately fell in love with this show, other than the masquerade balls, was the soundtrack. Each song fits the mood of the scene so perfectly. Here are some of my favorite songs (from some of my favorite scenes) and the mood that goes with each:
- When you’re looking for a touch of nostalgia — “You’ve Got the Love”
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If you are a Gossip Girl fan, there is a high chance when you hear this song, you immediately think of the showstopping series finale. Anyone who watches this show is now likely to be a fan of the iconic Florence + the Machine, as this is one of many of their top songs featured throughout the show. Watching Serena van der Woodsen walk down the stairs when Dan Humphrey (aka Lonely Boy) first saw her all these years later for their wedding immediately makes me feel nostalgic, and “You’ve Got the Love” is the perfect song to go along with this ending scene.
- When you want to feel like part of the Upper East Side — “The Queen and I”
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One thing that made Gossip Girl different from other shows was the top-notch parties, fancy decor and the lavish lifestyle in which the characters lived. Listening to this upbeat Gym Class Heroes song knows just how to make you feel as if you belong in the show. The brunch from the second episode is one of the reasons I continued watching, and I’ll always associate this song with that scene.
- When you are feeling emotional — “Rolling in the Deep”
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Adele always knows how to do the trick with an emotional song. Unlike many of her slow-paced songs, this song is intense, which is why it’s perfect for the infamous and passionate Bar Mitzvah scene where Blair and Chuck rekindle their love. After watching, how could you not want to belt out the chorus?
- When you are in a party mood — “Good Girls Gone Bad”
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This song plays during the first NYU rooftop party hosted by the one and only Georgina Sparks. Although the party was a bust for Blair, the female voice behind this song is actually Leighton Meester, the actress who plays Blair. This song is the type of tune you want to blast on a speaker, yet it will still make you feel like a part of the Gossip Girl crew.
- When you wish you were Gossip Girl — “Young Folks”
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Nothing quite compares to the whistling tune of this catchy song, which plays in the background while Serena makes her debut back to NYC. If there’s any song that immediately reminds me of Gossip Girl, “Young Folks” is it. The song almost had me wishing I knew who Gossip Girl was from the first episode.
If you’ve been hesitant about starting this series, this is your sign to do so. If you already are a fan of this show, then listening to these songs will bring back all of your memories from watching.