August (song)

"August" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). Swift wrote and produced "August" with Jack Antonoff; Joe Alwyn was credited as a co-producer.^[b] A dream pop and guitar pop ballad, "August" features elements of soft rock in its guitars, strings, and vocal reverberation. In the lyrics, an unnamed female narrator expresses her sorrow over James, a 17-year-old boy who reconciles with Betty after a fleeting summer romance with her. She is a character involved in a love triangle depicted in three Folklore tracks, the other two being "Cardigan" (from Betty's perspective) and "Betty" (from James's perspective).

Music critics lauded the production and lyrics as captivating, and some deemed it a standout on Folklore and a career highlight for Swift. Some media publications deemed "August" a seasonal success that resurge in popularity around August each year; the track peaked at number 46 on the Billboard Global 200 and in the top 40 of the charts in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Malaysia, and Singapore, and the United States. Swift performed "August" live at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2021 and included the song in the set list of her sixth concert tour, the Eras Tour (2023–2024).

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