Taylor Swift wrote “august” first among the three songs in the Folklore teenage love-triangle storyline.
The connected songs are “Cardigan,” “august,” and “Betty.” Although the album's track order and the story's chronology invite different interpretations, Swift said “august” was the first of the three she wrote.
The song follows the perspective of the unnamed girl involved with James during the summer. “Cardigan” centers on Betty, while “Betty” presents James's perspective. Together, they show how one fictional relationship can look different depending on who remembers it.
This writing-order fact is separate from the songs' positions on the album. “Cardigan” opens Folklore, “august” is track eight, and “Betty” appears later. The narrative trio should also not be confused with “illicit affairs,” another Folklore song about secrecy and emotional damage.