"august" is a song about a fleeting summer romance that left a lasting impact on the narrator. It's a nostalgic look back at a time of youthful love, uncertainty, and bittersweet memories.

Here's a breakdown of the lyrics and the thoughts behind them:

Verse 1:

• "Salt air, and the rust on your door" - Sets the scene of a summery, coastal environment. The rust suggests a sense of time passing, a slow decay that mirrors the fading of the relationship.
• "I never needed anything more" - The narrator was content with the simple, carefree moments shared with this person.
• "Whispers of 'Are you sure?' 'Never have I ever before'" - Hints at the initial uncertainty of the relationship, the naivete of young love. It suggests that neither of them was truly ready for something serious.

Chorus:

• "But I can see us lost in the memory" - The narrator reflects on the fleeting nature of their time together. The memory, like the month of August, feels distant and almost surreal.
• "August slipped away into a moment in time" - August is often associated with the end of summer, symbolizing a fleeting time of joy and freedom. The relationship was never meant to last.
• "'Cause it was never mine" - This line reveals the pain of unrequited love. The narrator acknowledges the reality of their situation, the fact that the other person never truly belonged to them.

Verse 2:

• "Your back beneath the sun" - The physicality of this line emphasizes the summery setting and the intimacy of the moment.
• "Wishin' I could write my name on it" - Suggests a longing for permanence, a desire to mark this person as theirs, but ultimately knowing it's impossible.
• "Will you call when you're back at school? I remember thinkin' I had you" - The narrator clings to the hope of continued connection, but deep down knows it wasn't meant to be.

Chorus:

• The chorus repeats the themes of lost memories and unfulfilled desires. The pain of realizing the relationship was destined to fade is emphasized.

Bridge:

• "Back when we were still changing for the better, Wanting was enough, For me, it was enough" - Reflects on the innocence of youth, a time when simply wanting something felt enough. This underscores the narrator's willingness to settle for less than what she truly deserved.
• "To live for the hope of it all, Cancel plans just in case you'd call, And say, 'Meet me behind the mall'" - Illustrates the desperation and vulnerability of being in love, the narrator making sacrifices and accommodating the other person's wishes.
• "So much for summer love and saying 'us'" - This line expresses a sense of disillusionment, the realization that summer love rarely lasts. The narrator is left with a feeling of betrayal and a sense that they were misled.

Chorus:

• The chorus repeats with even more emphasis on the pain of loss and the realization that the relationship was never truly theirs.

Outro:

• "'Cause you were never mine, Never mine, But do you remember?" - The narrator confronts the painful truth and questions whether the other person even remembers the significance of their time together.
• "Remember when I pulled up and said 'Get in the car' And then canceled my plans just in case you'd call?" - This echoes the bridge and underlines the extent to which the narrator compromised and made sacrifices for this relationship.
• "Back when I was living for the hope of it all, for the hope of it all, 'Meet me behind the mall'" - These lines repeat with increasing intensity, highlighting the narrator's desperate hope and the eventual crushing disappointment.

Overall:

"august" is a poignant song about a summer fling that ended in heartbreak. It captures the bittersweetness of young love, the pain of unrequited feelings, and the enduring power of memories, even when those memories are tinged with sadness. The song's focus on the ephemeral nature of time and the fragility of relationships resonates with listeners who have experienced similar feelings of longing and loss.