There’s something about August that has a somber, yet exciting finality about it. For many it’s the last official hot month of the summer before everyone returns from vacation to work and school.
From summer loves that did not last, to songs about troubled childhoods, here are the best songs about August in various genres.
1. “August” by Taylor Swift
Song year: 2020
If you are a major Swifty, you will love this hit song with August in the title. “August” by Taylor Swift is a whimsical song about a summer love that went too fast. Unfortunately, the song narrator and her lover did not stay together as the summer transitioned into fall. She holds on to the happy memories of the short-lived, seasonal relationship. The love was so important to her that she would forgo her plans just to be able to meet up with him at the drop of a dime.
2. “August Moon” by The 69 Eyes
Song year: 2004
“August Moon” by The 69 Eyes, a well-known Finland-based band, is one of the more simplistic songs about August that follow a repeated melody. The song narrator is attempting to chase a moon reminiscent of August’s atmosphere. He claims that this particular special moon of this month takes him to where he has never been before with new experiences and places on his itinerary.
3. “August Is Over” by We The Kings
Song year: 2007
No one likes it when August comes to an end. For kids, it means school starts again. For everyone, it means that it’s back to cold weather.
We The Kings reminisce about a summer love as the narrator attempts to ask her to stay with him but to no avail in “August Is Over”. The lovers are ready to go back home from their summer vacation and will be living far from one another. They find it difficult to bid farewell, overcome with a melancholy unlike any other.
4. “Dear August” by Noah Cyrus and PJ Harding
Song year: 2021
One of the more recently released songs about August is “Dear August” by Noah Cyrus and PJ Harding from a couple of years ago. Two song narrators are asking one another where August is in their lives. The month is symbolic of achieving true love through a treacherous journey amid past wasted relationships that both the song narrators faced in the past.
5. “August Town” by Duane Stephenson
Song year: 2007
“August Town” by Duane Stephenson is the only reggae song with August in the title. Named after a location in Kingston, Jamaica where Stephenson grew up, he reminisces on his childhood growing up in strife and making the worst decisions for survival.
As he transitions into adulthood, he seeks forgiveness for the wrong he did while growing up during his journey for survival. Stephenson warns us to not live by ourselves and to stay united with family, friends, and Jah Jah, or the Jamaican name for God.
6. “August” by Rilo Kiley
Song year: 2001
The song narrator characterizes the month of August as an untrustworthy, indecisive individual in the 2001 Rilo Kiley song. While the song narrator attempts to stand by their side, nothing becomes of the relationship as August continues to make unkempt empty promises. The song can also be interpreted as a summer love where promises were attempted to be kept but eventually broken.
7. “At the End of August” by 36 Crazyfists
Song year: 2004
As one of the heavy metal songs about August, 36 Crazyfists takes a more poetic approach to represent their lyrical prowess in “At the End of August”. The main song narrator discusses that they would never replace the promises they once made to their significant other no matter the controversies in the relationship. He characterizes these promises as lanterns that illuminate his life’s purpose.
8. “First Day In August” by Carole King
Song year: 1972
The narrator in “First Day in August” highlights how she wants to start her day with her lover at her side. It’s a simple day that begins with waking up at one another’s side, relaxing together, and enjoying a summertime fire as the night falls. As they cuddle side by side, her lover drifts off to sleep, marking the end of a simplistic, yet fulfilling day together.
9. “August” by Jack Hartmann
Song year: 2020
If you have children, you may know about the YouTube creator, Jack Hartmann who runs a kid’s music channel. In “August”, he sings about how it’s time for some kids to return to school at the end of the month.
He spells out the month in a sing-songy way for children to learn the word more thoroughly. Hartmann sings about the excitement of a new school year, making new friends, and learning many new things when transitioning into a new grade.
10. “Cold Wind In August” by Van Morrison
Song year: 1977
“Cold Wind In August” is the story of two lovers waiting for one another on an unusually low-temperature day in one of the hottest months of the year. The song narrator sings to his lover that he waited for her while it was raining outside which caused him to come down with a fever. Unfortunately, he could not return to see her because of falling ill.
11. “The 33rd of August” by Waylon Jennings
Song year: 1974
Ok, we all know that August only has 31 days. However, Waylon Jennings gets creative by singing “The 33rd of August”. The song narrator is paying for his wrongs and being arrested on various criminal charges. While riding to the station, he is battling with his inner demons to find the inner good within his soul. The narrator eventually realizes that not every one of his thoughts was tainted and that he has some good in him left after all.
12. “August” by Umphrey’s McGee
Song year: 1998
“August” by Umphreys McGee highlights a breakup between two lovers. The main song narrator reminds his former lover not to recall all the past emotions felt during the relationship as he slowly walks away to protect himself from breaking down. He feels that both of them will eventually heal as time passes on.
13. “August Holland” by Beirut
Song year: 2015
Beirut’s “August Holland” does not mention the month word in the lyrics. However, they do highlight the end of the relationship as the song narrator watches a sunrise taking place in Laos, symbolizing the beginning of a new day and an overall new chapter in their lives.
The lyrics repeatedly say the same line that the song narrator wishes to be beside his former lover. The song may also be describing a symbolic work of August Holland in simplistic lyrical terms, who was a contemporary artist during the American Postwar era.
14. “August 7, 4:15” by Bon Jovi
Song year: 1997
Bon Jovi penned the song “August 7, 4:15” in the loving memory of Katherine Korzilius, who is the late daughter of the artist’s manager named Paul Korzilius. Hence the song title depicts the date and time in which the Korzilius family discovered Katherine’s body on the road when she was supposed to be returning from a trip to their post office box.
15. “Home In August” by Pierce Fulton
Song year: 2017
“Home In August ” by Pierce Fulton is another one of the songs about August that does not mention the month’s name in the lyrics. Throughout the song, it asks two questions in a pattern. Hence, the song narrator must be attempting to discover a person’s perspective on a certain matter because they ask repeatedly if they are out or in. Despite these repeated questions, the situation related to them is not highlighted.
16. “August In Bethany” by The Juliana Theory
Song year: 1999
Two lovers are experiencing a tearful departure in “August in Bethany” by The Juliana Theory. Set near a beach setting during a Friday evening, the song does not mention specifically why the couple is going their separate ways. They want to cherish their memories together, but they feel that they should go their separate ways.
17. “August Day” by Daryl Hall and John Oates
Song year: 1978
A literal storm is brewing in the chorus section of “August Day” by Daryl Hall and John Oates. The simplistic two-line chorus paired with comparing the weather to emotions felt in the song narrator makes for a whimsical song. The song narrator is attempting to muster the courage to confess his love to a suitor, which evokes turbulent emotions within itself.
Top Songs About August, Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed these songs about August across different spectrums of meaning, symbolism, back story, and learning. Do you have a new favorite song from this list? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.