Jack Antonoff sent Taylor Swift the initial instrumental for “august” before she wrote its lyrics.
Antonoff produced the instrumental first and sent it to Swift, who wrote the lyrics “on the spot,” according to the song’s documented production story. Their collaboration was part of the unusual, fast-moving creative process behind Folklore, which was made during the pandemic.
Swift and Antonoff had already worked together on songs for 1989, Reputation, and Lover. For Folklore, their partnership continued, with the pair producing several tracks and co-writing “august.” Joe Alwyn also received a production credit on the song.
Listeners sometimes assume Aaron Dessner began every Folklore track because he was one of the album’s major collaborators. Dessner was central to the album’s creation, but the instrumental origin specifically documented for “august” is Antonoff’s.