Taylor Swift’s “august” debuted at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. The debut appeared on the chart dated August 8, 2020, shortly after Folklore’s release.
The song spent two consecutive weeks on the Hot 100. Its performance is especially notable because “august” was not initially promoted as a traditional lead single; interest came from the album’s broad release and the song’s growing popularity among listeners.
The Hot 100 combines streaming, sales, and radio activity, so a debut position is not the same as a song’s peak on every chart. “August” performed even higher on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, where it debuted and peaked at number five. It also later returned to attention each August as its seasonal streaming pattern became more pronounced.