“The Lakes” was the bonus track added to deluxe editions of Taylor Swift’s Folklore. It expanded the physical deluxe versions beyond the album’s 16-song standard edition.
The track was initially exclusive to deluxe CDs and vinyl editions. It later became available on digital platforms on August 18, 2020, making it easier for listeners who did not purchase the physical versions to hear it.
The title is sometimes mixed up with the imagery of other Folklore songs, especially “august,” which also uses natural and coastal imagery. However, “The Lakes” is a separate song and the album’s deluxe bonus track.
Its release history is part of Folklore’s unusual rollout. Swift announced the album only a day before its digital release, while physical editions and alternate covers followed afterward. The delayed digital arrival of “The Lakes” extended the album’s release story into August.