Pop, Folk

August Chords

Taylor Swift Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 4 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Em

August Chords – Guitar

A nostalgic song about a summer romance that slipped away by Taylor Swift. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Pop (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret to match the original recording’s key of B, while still playing the beginner-friendly G shapes.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

Salt air, and the rust on your door

C G

I never needed anymore

G C G

Whispered on the street, you were seeing her

C G

Thought I saw you at the bus stop, I didn’t though

Chorus

C G

But I can see us lost in the memory

Am C

August slipped away into a moment in time

G C

‘Cause it was never mine

G

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

Am C

August sipped away like a bottle of wine

G C

‘Cause you were never mine

Verse 2

G C G

Your back beneath the sun

C G

Wishin’ I could write my name on it

G C G

Will you call when you’re back at school? I remember

C

Thinkin’ I had you

Chorus

C G

But I can see us lost in the memory

Am C

August slipped away into a moment in time

G C

‘cause it was never mine

G

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

Am C

August sipped away like a bottle of wine

G C

‘cause you were never mine

Bridge

Am C

Back when we were still changin’ for the better

G

Wanting was enough

Am C

For me, it was enough

G

To live for the hope of it all

Cancel plans just in case you’d call

C

And say, “Meet me behind the mall”

G

So much for summer love and saying “us”

C

‘Cause you weren’t mine to lose

G C

You weren’t mine to lose, no

Chorus

C G

But I can see us lost in the memory

Am C

August slipped away into a moment in time

G C

‘cause it was never mine

G

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

Am C

August sipped away like a bottle of wine

G C

‘cause you were never mine

Outro

G C

’Cause you were never mine

G C

Never mine

G C

Do you remember?

G C G

Remember when I pulled up and said, “Get in the car”?

C

And then canceled my plans just in case you’d call?

G C G

Back when I was livin’ for the hope of it all, for the hope of it all

C

“Meet me behind the mall”

G C G

Remember when I pulled up and said, “Get in the car”?

C

And then canceled my plans just in case you’d call?

G C

Back when I was livin’ for the hope of it all

G C

‘Cause you weren’t mine

Practice tip: The chord progression G, C, Am, C repeats often; practice switching between these four chords until you can do it without looking at your fretting hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "August"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "August" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "August" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "August"?

It was written by Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, and released in 2020.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · C · D · Em

August Chords – Ukulele

A nostalgic song about a summer romance that slipped away by Taylor Swift. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Pop (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret to match the original recording’s key of B, while still playing the beginner-friendly G shapes.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

Salt air, and the rust on your door

C G

I never needed anymore

G C G

Whispered on the street, you were seeing her

C G

Thought I saw you at the bus stop, I didn’t though

Chorus

C G

But I can see us lost in the memory

Am C

August slipped away into a moment in time

G C

‘Cause it was never mine

G

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

Am C

August sipped away like a bottle of wine

G C

‘Cause you were never mine

Verse 2

G C G

Your back beneath the sun

C G

Wishin’ I could write my name on it

G C G

Will you call when you’re back at school? I remember

C

Thinkin’ I had you

Chorus

C G

But I can see us lost in the memory

Am C

August slipped away into a moment in time

G C

‘cause it was never mine

G

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

Am C

August sipped away like a bottle of wine

G C

‘cause you were never mine

Bridge

Am C

Back when we were still changin’ for the better

G

Wanting was enough

Am C

For me, it was enough

G

To live for the hope of it all

Cancel plans just in case you’d call

C

And say, “Meet me behind the mall”

G

So much for summer love and saying “us”

C

‘Cause you weren’t mine to lose

G C

You weren’t mine to lose, no

Chorus

C G

But I can see us lost in the memory

Am C

August slipped away into a moment in time

G C

‘cause it was never mine

G

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

Am C

August sipped away like a bottle of wine

G C

‘cause you were never mine

Outro

G C

’Cause you were never mine

G C

Never mine

G C

Do you remember?

G C G

Remember when I pulled up and said, “Get in the car”?

C

And then canceled my plans just in case you’d call?

G C G

Back when I was livin’ for the hope of it all, for the hope of it all

C

“Meet me behind the mall”

G C G

Remember when I pulled up and said, “Get in the car”?

C

And then canceled my plans just in case you’d call?

G C

Back when I was livin’ for the hope of it all

G C

‘Cause you weren’t mine

Practice tip: The chord progression G, C, Am, C repeats often; practice switching between these four chords until you can do it without looking at your fretting hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "August"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "August" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "August" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "August"?

It was written by Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, and released in 2020.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · C · D · Em

August Chords – Piano

A nostalgic song about a summer romance that slipped away by Taylor Swift. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Pop (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret to match the original recording’s key of B, while still playing the beginner-friendly G shapes.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

Salt air, and the rust on your door

C G

I never needed anymore

G C G

Whispered on the street, you were seeing her

C G

Thought I saw you at the bus stop, I didn’t though

Chorus

C G

But I can see us lost in the memory

Am C

August slipped away into a moment in time

G C

‘Cause it was never mine

G

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

Am C

August sipped away like a bottle of wine

G C

‘Cause you were never mine

Verse 2

G C G

Your back beneath the sun

C G

Wishin’ I could write my name on it

G C G

Will you call when you’re back at school? I remember

C

Thinkin’ I had you

Chorus

C G

But I can see us lost in the memory

Am C

August slipped away into a moment in time

G C

‘cause it was never mine

G

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

Am C

August sipped away like a bottle of wine

G C

‘cause you were never mine

Bridge

Am C

Back when we were still changin’ for the better

G

Wanting was enough

Am C

For me, it was enough

G

To live for the hope of it all

Cancel plans just in case you’d call

C

And say, “Meet me behind the mall”

G

So much for summer love and saying “us”

C

‘Cause you weren’t mine to lose

G C

You weren’t mine to lose, no

Chorus

C G

But I can see us lost in the memory

Am C

August slipped away into a moment in time

G C

‘cause it was never mine

G

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

Am C

August sipped away like a bottle of wine

G C

‘cause you were never mine

Outro

G C

’Cause you were never mine

G C

Never mine

G C

Do you remember?

G C G

Remember when I pulled up and said, “Get in the car”?

C

And then canceled my plans just in case you’d call?

G C G

Back when I was livin’ for the hope of it all, for the hope of it all

C

“Meet me behind the mall”

G C G

Remember when I pulled up and said, “Get in the car”?

C

And then canceled my plans just in case you’d call?

G C

Back when I was livin’ for the hope of it all

G C

‘Cause you weren’t mine

Practice tip: The chord progression G, C, Am, C repeats often; practice switching between these four chords until you can do it without looking at your fretting hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "August"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "August" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "August" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "August"?

It was written by Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, and released in 2020.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · C · D · Em

August Chords – Banjo

A nostalgic song about a summer romance that slipped away by Taylor Swift. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Pop (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret to match the original recording’s key of B, while still playing the beginner-friendly G shapes.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

Salt air, and the rust on your door

C G

I never needed anymore

G C G

Whispered on the street, you were seeing her

C G

Thought I saw you at the bus stop, I didn’t though

Chorus

C G

But I can see us lost in the memory

Am C

August slipped away into a moment in time

G C

‘Cause it was never mine

G

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

Am C

August sipped away like a bottle of wine

G C

‘Cause you were never mine

Verse 2

G C G

Your back beneath the sun

C G

Wishin’ I could write my name on it

G C G

Will you call when you’re back at school? I remember

C

Thinkin’ I had you

Chorus

C G

But I can see us lost in the memory

Am C

August slipped away into a moment in time

G C

‘cause it was never mine

G

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

Am C

August sipped away like a bottle of wine

G C

‘cause you were never mine

Bridge

Am C

Back when we were still changin’ for the better

G

Wanting was enough

Am C

For me, it was enough

G

To live for the hope of it all

Cancel plans just in case you’d call

C

And say, “Meet me behind the mall”

G

So much for summer love and saying “us”

C

‘Cause you weren’t mine to lose

G C

You weren’t mine to lose, no

Chorus

C G

But I can see us lost in the memory

Am C

August slipped away into a moment in time

G C

‘cause it was never mine

G

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

Am C

August sipped away like a bottle of wine

G C

‘cause you were never mine

Outro

G C

’Cause you were never mine

G C

Never mine

G C

Do you remember?

G C G

Remember when I pulled up and said, “Get in the car”?

C

And then canceled my plans just in case you’d call?

G C G

Back when I was livin’ for the hope of it all, for the hope of it all

C

“Meet me behind the mall”

G C G

Remember when I pulled up and said, “Get in the car”?

C

And then canceled my plans just in case you’d call?

G C

Back when I was livin’ for the hope of it all

G C

‘Cause you weren’t mine

Practice tip: The chord progression G, C, Am, C repeats often; practice switching between these four chords until you can do it without looking at your fretting hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "August"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "August" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "August" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "August"?

It was written by Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, and released in 2020.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D · Em

August Chords – Mandolin

A nostalgic song about a summer romance that slipped away by Taylor Swift. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Pop (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret to match the original recording’s key of B, while still playing the beginner-friendly G shapes.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

Salt air, and the rust on your door

C G

I never needed anymore

G C G

Whispered on the street, you were seeing her

C G

Thought I saw you at the bus stop, I didn’t though

Chorus

C G

But I can see us lost in the memory

Am C

August slipped away into a moment in time

G C

‘Cause it was never mine

G

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

Am C

August sipped away like a bottle of wine

G C

‘Cause you were never mine

Verse 2

G C G

Your back beneath the sun

C G

Wishin’ I could write my name on it

G C G

Will you call when you’re back at school? I remember

C

Thinkin’ I had you

Chorus

C G

But I can see us lost in the memory

Am C

August slipped away into a moment in time

G C

‘cause it was never mine

G

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

Am C

August sipped away like a bottle of wine

G C

‘cause you were never mine

Bridge

Am C

Back when we were still changin’ for the better

G

Wanting was enough

Am C

For me, it was enough

G

To live for the hope of it all

Cancel plans just in case you’d call

C

And say, “Meet me behind the mall”

G

So much for summer love and saying “us”

C

‘Cause you weren’t mine to lose

G C

You weren’t mine to lose, no

Chorus

C G

But I can see us lost in the memory

Am C

August slipped away into a moment in time

G C

‘cause it was never mine

G

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

Am C

August sipped away like a bottle of wine

G C

‘cause you were never mine

Outro

G C

’Cause you were never mine

G C

Never mine

G C

Do you remember?

G C G

Remember when I pulled up and said, “Get in the car”?

C

And then canceled my plans just in case you’d call?

G C G

Back when I was livin’ for the hope of it all, for the hope of it all

C

“Meet me behind the mall”

G C G

Remember when I pulled up and said, “Get in the car”?

C

And then canceled my plans just in case you’d call?

G C

Back when I was livin’ for the hope of it all

G C

‘Cause you weren’t mine

Practice tip: The chord progression G, C, Am, C repeats often; practice switching between these four chords until you can do it without looking at your fretting hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "August"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "August" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "August" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "August"?

It was written by Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, and released in 2020.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · C · D · Em

August Chords – Harmonica

A nostalgic song about a summer romance that slipped away by Taylor Swift. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Pop (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret to match the original recording’s key of B, while still playing the beginner-friendly G shapes.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

Salt air, and the rust on your door

C G

I never needed anymore

G C G

Whispered on the street, you were seeing her

C G

Thought I saw you at the bus stop, I didn’t though

Chorus

C G

But I can see us lost in the memory

Am C

August slipped away into a moment in time

G C

‘Cause it was never mine

G

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

Am C

August sipped away like a bottle of wine

G C

‘Cause you were never mine

Verse 2

G C G

Your back beneath the sun

C G

Wishin’ I could write my name on it

G C G

Will you call when you’re back at school? I remember

C

Thinkin’ I had you

Chorus

C G

But I can see us lost in the memory

Am C

August slipped away into a moment in time

G C

‘cause it was never mine

G

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

Am C

August sipped away like a bottle of wine

G C

‘cause you were never mine

Bridge

Am C

Back when we were still changin’ for the better

G

Wanting was enough

Am C

For me, it was enough

G

To live for the hope of it all

Cancel plans just in case you’d call

C

And say, “Meet me behind the mall”

G

So much for summer love and saying “us”

C

‘Cause you weren’t mine to lose

G C

You weren’t mine to lose, no

Chorus

C G

But I can see us lost in the memory

Am C

August slipped away into a moment in time

G C

‘cause it was never mine

G

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

Am C

August sipped away like a bottle of wine

G C

‘cause you were never mine

Outro

G C

’Cause you were never mine

G C

Never mine

G C

Do you remember?

G C G

Remember when I pulled up and said, “Get in the car”?

C

And then canceled my plans just in case you’d call?

G C G

Back when I was livin’ for the hope of it all, for the hope of it all

C

“Meet me behind the mall”

G C G

Remember when I pulled up and said, “Get in the car”?

C

And then canceled my plans just in case you’d call?

G C

Back when I was livin’ for the hope of it all

G C

‘Cause you weren’t mine

Practice tip: The chord progression G, C, Am, C repeats often; practice switching between these four chords until you can do it without looking at your fretting hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "August"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "August" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "August" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "August"?

It was written by Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, and released in 2020.