August Lyrics – Taylor Swift

English 5.2K July 31, 2023 Rollteam

August Lyrics, Meaning Explained by Taylor Swift from Folklore (2020) album. The music is produced by Joe Alwyn, Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, while written by Jack Antonoff, Taylor Swift. The music track was released on July 24, 2020.

Official Music Video

August Lyrics

[Verse 1: Taylor Swift]
Salt air, and the rust on your door
I never needed anything more
Whispers of "Are you sure?"
"Never have I ever before"

[Chorus: Taylor Swift]
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

[Verse 2: Taylor Swift]
Your back beneath the sun
Wishing I could write my name on it
Will you call when you're back at school?
I remember thinking I had you

[Chorus: Taylor Swift]
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

[Bridge: Taylor Swift]
Back when we were still changing 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

[Chorus: Taylor Swift]
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

[Outro: Taylor Swift]
'Cause you were never mine
Never mine
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 living 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 living 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 living 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)

Facts & Meaning Explained

[Verse 1]
The first verse sets the scene with imagery of salt air and rust on a door. It portrays a nostalgic atmosphere. The lyrics express contentment with what the narrator has and the uncertainty of whether the other person feels the same way. The line "Whispers of 'Are you sure?'" suggests that there might be doubts or questioning within the relationship.

[Chorus]
The chorus reflects on the fleeting nature of the romance. It describes how the month of August, symbolizing the peak of summer and happiness, slipped away like a passing moment. The line "it was never mine" indicates that the narrator realizes the relationship was not meant to be. The imagery of being twisted in bedsheets and August slipping away like a bottle of wine evokes a sense of longing and bittersweetness.

[Verse 2]
In the second verse, the narrator reminisces about a specific moment with the other person. They long to leave their mark on the person's life, metaphorically expressing the desire to write their name on their back. The line about calling when the other person is back at school suggests a separation or distance between them. The narrator recalls feeling like they had a connection with the person, but it seems that things didn't turn out as expected.

[Bridge]
The bridge reflects on the past, when the relationship was still in a hopeful phase. The narrator implies that the desire for the other person's affection was enough for them at that time. They canceled plans in the hope of receiving a call from the person and were willing to make sacrifices. The line "So much for summer love and saying 'us'" implies that the initial romantic expectations have faded. The narrator acknowledges that the person was never truly theirs to lose.

[Chorus]
The chorus repeats, emphasizing the idea that the relationship was never truly theirs. The imagery of August slipping away and sipping away like wine reinforces the fleeting nature of the romance.

[Outro]
The outro repeats some of the earlier lines and adds further reflection. The narrator asks the person if they remember a specific moment when they pulled up in a car and canceled plans in anticipation of spending time together. It signifies how invested the narrator was in the hope of the relationship. The repetition of "for the hope of it all" emphasizes the longing and nostalgia associated with the memories.

Overall, the song "August" explores the themes of fleeting summer love, unfulfilled expectations, and the nostalgia of a relationship that was never meant to be. It captures the emotions of longing, reminiscence, and acceptance of the transient nature of certain experiences.