Taylor Swift’s “august” appears on the album Folklore. Released in 2020, Folklore introduced a fictional, story-driven world that made the song’s wistful summer setting especially memorable.
“august” is one part of a connected narrative involving three teenagers: James, Betty, and the song’s unnamed female narrator. The other two songs in that narrative are “Cardigan” and “Betty.” Although the three tracks share characters and events, “august” stands apart through its late-summer atmosphere and the narrator’s unrequited feelings.
Folklore was made during the COVID-19 pandemic and was released as a surprise album. Swift and Jack Antonoff wrote and produced “august,” while Joe Alwyn also received a producer credit. The album’s cottagecore-inspired imagery and fictional storytelling helped listeners connect the track with seasonal memories, which later contributed to its annual August trend online.