cardigan

About the Song: A Folk Storytelling Masterpiece "Cardigan" served as the lead single for Taylor Swift's eighth studio album, folklore, a record that marked a significant sonic and thematic shift for the artist. Released as a surprise in July 2020, the song is a wistful, piano-driven ballad about a romance remembered with nostalgia and a hint of sorrow. Co-written and produced with Aaron Dessner (of the band The National), "Cardigan" showcases Swift's evolution into a mature, fictional storyteller. The song is one of three tracks on the album (along with "august" and "betty") that explore the same teenage love triangle from different perspectives, with "Cardigan" being told from the viewpoint of the character Betty, years later. The Creative Team Taylor Swift & Aaron Dessner The collaboration between Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner was the cornerstone of the folklore and evermore albums. Working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dessner would send Swift instrumental tracks, and she would write lyrics and melodies to them. This creative process resulted in an indie-folk sound that was a departure from Swift's previous pop work, earning her some of the best critical reviews of her career and a Grammy for Album of the Year for folklore. Explore their IMDb pages: Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner. The Music Video & Film The enchanting music video for "Cardigan" was written, directed, and styled by Taylor Swift. Filmed with strict safety protocols during the pandemic, it depicts Swift being magically transported through her piano to fantastical settings—a moss-covered forest, a stormy sea, and finally back to a cozy cabin, where she finds comfort in an old cardigan. The video's escapist and rustic aesthetic defined the entire visual identity of the folklore era. Release Date: July 24, 2020 Director: Taylor Swift Where to Watch: The official video is on YouTube. The accompanying concert film, Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions, which details the making of the album, is available on Disney+. About the Album: folklore (2020) Folklore was a surprise album released in July 2020. Moving away from pop spectacle, Swift crafted a stripped-back, alternative record filled with character-driven narratives and intricate storytelling. The album was praised for its lyrical maturity, sonic cohesion, and emotional depth. It broke numerous records and became the best-selling album of 2020 in the US. It won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, making Swift the first woman to win the top prize three times.