Cardigan

"Cardigan" is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released on July 24, 2020, as the lead single from her eighth studio album, Folklore, through Republic Records. Written by Swift and Aaron Dessner, and produced by Dessner, the track marks a significant departure from Swift's previous pop-oriented work, embracing a subdued indie folk, soft rock, and contemporary folk sound. Its stripped-down arrangement features a muted piano, subtle percussion, and strings, creating an atmospheric and introspective mood that aligns with the album's autumnal, fictional storytelling.

The song is part of a fictional love triangle narrative on Folklore, also involving the songs "August" and "Betty." Swift performs "Cardigan" from the perspective of a character named Betty, looking back on a past romance with a sense of wistful nostalgia. The lyrics use the metaphor of a worn cardigan to evoke comfort and enduring affection. Critics praised the song for its poetic, literary quality and mature sound, with Rolling Stone ranking it among the best songs of 2020.

Commercially, "Cardigan" debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Swift's sixth number-one single in the United States. It also topped the Billboard Hot Alternative Songs chart. In the UK, it peaked at number six, and it charted in the top ten in Australia, Canada, and Ireland. The song has received multi-platinum certifications, including 2× Platinum by the RIAA, 2× Platinum in Australia, 2× Platinum in the UK, and Platinum in New Zealand.[edit]