Taylor Swift

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Betty, I won't make assumptions
About why you switched your homeroom, but
I think it's 'cause of me
Betty, one time I was riding on my skateboard
When I passed your house
It's like I couldn't breathe

[Pre-Chorus]
You heard the rumors from Inez
You can't believe a word she says
Most times, but this time it was true
The worst thing that I ever did
Was what I did to you

[Chorus]
But if I just showed up at your party
Would you have me? Would you want me?
Would you tell me to go fuck myself
Or lead me to the garden?
In the garden, would you trust me
If I told you it was just a summer thing?
I'm only seventeen, I don't know anything
But I know I miss you

[Verse 2]
Betty, I know where it all went wrong
Your favorite song was playing
From the far side of the gym
I was nowhere to be found
I hate the crowds, you know that
Plus, I saw you dance with him
[Pre-Chorus]
You heard the rumors from Inez
You can't believe a word she says
Most times, but this time it was true
The worst thing that I ever did
Was what I did to you

[Chorus]
But if I just showed up at your party
Would you have me? Would you want me?
Would you tell me to go fuck myself
Or lead me to the garden?
In the garden, would you trust me
If I told you it was just a summer thing?
I'm only seventeen, I don't know anything
But I know I miss you

[Bridge]
I was walking home on broken cobblestones
Just thinking of you when she pulled up like
A figment of my worst intentions
She said "James, get in, let's drive"
Those days turned into nights
Slept next to her, but
I dreamt of you all summer long
[Verse 3]
Betty, I'm here on your doorstep
And I planned it out for weeks now
But it's finally sinkin' in
Betty, right now is the last time
I can dream about what happens when
You see my face again

[Pre-Chorus]
The only thing I wanna do
Is make it up to you
So I showed up at your party
Yeah, I showed up at your party

[Chorus]
Yeah, I showed up at your party
Will you have me? Will you love me?
Will you kiss me on the porch
In front of all your stupid friends?
If you kiss me, will it be just like I dreamed it?
Will it patch your broken wings?
I'm only seventeen, I don't know anything
But I know I miss you

[Outro]
Standing in your cardigan
Kissin' in my car again
Stopped at a streetlight
You know I miss you

With her surprise eighth album, folklore, Taylor Swift proved once again why she's one of the most influential and popular music artists in the world. The album is a departure from her usual pop-centric sound, with elements of indie and alternative folk music. The album was filled with songs that were stories of love, heartbreak, and personal growth. One of the standout tracks on the album is “betty,” a song that explores the aftermath of a doomed summer love affair. Let's explore every detail of this track.

About ​betty

“betty” is a powerful track from Taylor Swift’s surprise eighth album folklore. The song’s lyrics describe the aftermath of a summer love affair between James and Betty. James is still dating his fellow classmate, Betty, while the summer romance is happening. The song takes a feminist approach portraying James, who can’t own up to their mistakes, while Betty flourishes on her own and recognizes her worth. It exudes a strong sense of nostalgia traversing the production and instrumentals reminiscent of Taylor’s earlier projects, Fearless and Speak Now, both of which were records written by Taylor in her similarly naïve adolescence.

The song is a part of folklore’s “Teenage Love Triangle,” preceded by “cardigan” and “august.” Interestingly, James's gender is never explicitly stated, which has led to speculation that the song could tell a sapphic love story. In fact, James and Inez, mentioned in the pre-chorus, are the names of Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ daughters. However, Taylor confirmed the character's gender as being male while explaining the song on country radio. She said, "I wrote from the perspective of a 17-year-old boy. I’ve always loved that in music you can kinda slip into different identities and sing from other people’s perspectives. So that’s what I did on this one--and I named all the characters in this story after my friends' kids."

The track stands out from the rest of the album with its stripped-down, almost live performance-style production. The piano chords and harmonica accents in the background lend an air of simplicity that is perfectly complemented by Taylor’s legendary songwriting skills. The song’s chorus, in particular, is catchy and instantly memorable, making it one of the most engaging tracks on the album.

The powerful lyrics of "betty" complement its sound and provide the perfect foundation for Taylor's storytelling. The song tells the story of James and Betty, two teenagers who get caught up in a summer love affair that ultimately turns sour. The song's opening verse shows the listener James being aware of the damage he has caused, but still unable bring himself to truly apologize or make amends.

The bridge of the song is where everything comes to a head. James finally admits his mistakes and apologizes, hoping that Betty will forgive him. In the end, the song is a story of growth, portraying Betty as the one who flourishes by acknowledging her worth, while James is left with the consequences of their actions.

Overall, "betty" is one of the most impressive tracks on Taylor Swift's album folklore. It's an excellent example of Taylor's songwriting skills and ability to address complex topics with remarkable ease. The song's powerful lyrics and stripped-down production lend an air of nostalgia and simplicity to the track, making it one of the most memorable on the album.

Final thoughts

Overall, "betty" is one of the best songs on Taylor Swift's folklore. It's an excellent example of her songwriting skills and shows her ability to address complex topics in a simplistic way. Taylor Swift is, without a doubt, one of the most influential and popular music artists in the world, and "betty" is a testament to her prowess in the songwriting realm. It's a powerful track that will undoubtedly stay on playlists for years to come.

• Release Date: July 24, 2020
• Artist: Taylor Swift