“August” is the eighth track on Taylor Swift’s 2020 album ‘Folklore.’ Knowing Taylor’s love for symbolism, we cannot help but think that Taylor purposefully listed the song at #8 on the tracklist in correspondence with the calendar. However, the song narrates a bittersweet memory of a love that she hoped for but never was there.
Taylor Swift announced her 8th studio album ‘Folklore‘ just a few hours ahead of the album’s release on July 24, 2020. The album had no singles prior to the album release, and Taylor stated the reason for the ‘surprise’ album release as the “uncertainty” surrounding the world right now.
“august” is part of the three songs on the album that talk about a love-triangle Taylor was in one Summer. The other two songs are “cardigan” and “betty.” In this song, Taylor Swift breaks into the relationship of two others, by sleeping with the guy.
Listen to “august” by Taylor Swift
Buy ‘Folklore’ Album on Apple Music and Amazon
Verse 1
Taylor narrates a very intimate scene where she is in the bed with this guy. She draws a not-so-appealing vibrance around them to give the idea that there is something off about what is to happen. But she is perfectly okay with it, as she only wanted him. He asks her ‘are you sure’ and she replies ‘never have I ever,’ giving consent. It is likely that this is the time when she lost her virginity, as the dialogue suggests something just more than a fling would have taken place.
Chorus
In the chorus of the song, Taylor Swift sings that it is all a memory in her head now, and he is long gone. What seemed like a beautiful consummation of love between a loving couple, we quickly realize, was an illicit affair!
The actions, memories, and people, all passed on just like the month of August did…never to return. Because he was never hers, to begin with.
Verse 2
More memories and visualizations haunt Taylor’s mind. She wonders if he would call her when they are back at school after the Summer break!
Listen to Taylor Swift performing “august” live at the studio
Bridge
Taylor feels quite foolish to have thought that there ever was an “us” just because they had that one night of romance. She tries to embrace the harsh reality that he was not hers to lose.
Outro
In the outro, Taylor ties in one lyric with a similar lyric on “betty” to emphasize their connection.
Remember when I pulled up and said “Get in the car”
A different POV of this line appears in “betty” as “When she pulled up like…./She said “James, get in, let’s drive”.”
Let us know what you think about this song in the comments below. Check out the complete lyrics and further meaning breakdown on Genius.
On August 1, 2021, Taylor Swift took to Twitter to remind everyone that “It’s august 🥰”
Salt air, and the rust on your door
I never needed anything more
Whispers of “Are you sure?”
“Never have I ever before”
Somewhere by the beach in August… the writer is describing where they are. Rusted door because of the salty air. August can be the month and the person/lover she is talking about. Or the month that identifies the link to her lover. She is saying how she does not need anything more because she is with the person she wants. “Are you sure? You don’t need anything more? YES, I am sure. “Never have I ever before”. “Never have I ever before” It is also a party game, maybe they played the game.
But I can see us lost in the memory
August slipped away into a moment in time
‘Cause it was never mine
Her relationship with August (Augustine/Augusta) was short. How long is short we don’t know. It referenced what looks like one summer but… Anyway the lover moved on, all is left are the memories they shared.
And I can see us twisted in bedsheets
August sipped away like a bottle of wine
‘Cause you were never mine
What do lovers do ? But the lover is not hers to keep.
Your back beneath the sun
Wishin’ I could write my name on it
Will you call when you’re back at school?
I remember thinkin’ I had you
Can she call the lover hers? Put a claim like a tag or mark on her summer lover? She can only wish. It is only in her mind. It cannot happen for some reason.
Back when we were still changin’ for the better
Wanting was enough
For me, it was enough
To live for the hope of it all
Cancel plans just in case you’d call
And say, “Meet me behind the mall”
So much for summer love and saying “us”
‘Cause you weren’t mine to lose
You weren’t mine to lose, no
The desire to have this person for herself is all there. However she is not blind to see that the lover will never be hers even if she declares her lover is there for her to keep. Her hoping, her wanting was enough because even with her deep love?, she knows and is in-touch with the reality that she cant keep this person.
But I can see us lost in the memory
August slipped away into a moment in time
‘Cause it was never mine
And I can see us twisted in bedsheets
August sipped away like a bottle of wine
‘Cause you were never mine.
The time they had is like wine that can run out. The moments they had were carved in memory but it can only stay that way.
But do you remember?
Remember when I pulled up and said, “Get in the car”
And then canceled my plans just in case you’d call?
Back when I was livin’ for the hope of it all, for the hope of it all
“Meet me behind the mall”
Remember when I pulled up and said, “Get in the car”
And then canceled my plans just in case you’d call?
Back when I was livin’ for the hope of it all (for the hope of it all)
For the hope of it all
For the hope of it all
(For the hope of it all)
(For the hope of it all)
It’s all in the past now. But she remember the moments and memories they made and enjoyed. They tried to enjoy the time they had together, hoping that it would not end. But reality cannot be erased by their hope. They have to move on. This person does not belong to her.
Why are all of your interpretations so wrong lmao
so true.