When did Taylor Swift release “august,” the song behind the annual August trend?

Taylor Swift released “august” on July 24, 2020.

The song arrived as part of Folklore, which Swift surprise-released through Republic Records during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although its title and imagery are strongly associated with the month of August, the track was available nearly a week before August began.

That timing helps explain an enduring feature of the song’s history: it returns to public attention each year when August arrives. Listeners often revisit it, create seasonal posts, and share nostalgic videos using its late-summer atmosphere. The annual cycle can make the song seem newer than it is.

The release date is also sometimes confused with August 1, the date on which many fans begin their yearly celebration of the track. August 1 is culturally important to the song’s internet ritual, but it was not the original release date. Swift’s album surprise also means “august” did not follow the traditional rollout of a separately announced single.