Betty

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Lore & Background

Within the fictional universe of Folklore, "Betty" is one of three tracks depicting a teenage love triangle, alongside "Cardigan" and "August." While "Cardigan" tells the story from Betty's perspective and "August" from the unnamed girl involved in James's summer fling, "Betty" is narrated by James himself. He is a 17-year-old boy who realizes he has lost the love of his life after cheating on Betty. The narrative centers on his attempt to reconcile with her at her party, where he admits his mistakes but offers excuses regarding his disdain for crowds and Betty's "wandering eye." The story also introduces Inez, a gossip character named after Blake Lively's daughter; James confesses that while Betty usually dismisses Inez's false rumors, Inez was right about him this time. Swift confirmed the characters are named after the daughters of actors Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.

In Their Own Story

The narrative unfolds from the perspective of James as he approaches Betty's party to apologize. He reflects on his past actions, admitting that even though Betty does not usually believe Inez because her gossip is mostly false, Inez is right about him this time. The song structure shifts dramatically from conditional phrasing—"If I just showed up at your party/Would you have me?"—to the present tense: "I showed up at your party/Will you have me?" James cites his dislike of crowds and Betty's wandering eye as reasons for his behavior, though he acknowledges he has lost her love. The lyrics echo imagery from "Cardigan," specifically referencing a porch and a cardigan at the end. Despite Swift explicitly stating James is a 17-year-old boy, some initial media interpretations viewed the song through a queer lens due to the lack of gendered pronouns in the album's text.

Reader's Guide

To understand "Betty" fully, one must recognize it as part of a triptych of songs exploring a single love triangle. The song serves as the apology track where James attempts to win Betty back after his summer fling with the girl from "August." Listeners should note the specific lyrical devices Swift employs, such as the shift from conditional to present tense, which marks the moment James decides to act on his regret. The inclusion of Inez adds a layer of external judgment that James finally accepts. While some audiences initially missed the gender context due to Swift's songwriting choice to omit pronouns in the album release, the artist clarified James's age and identity as a 17-year-old boy. The song concludes by tying back to "Cardigan" through shared imagery, reinforcing the interconnected nature of these three stories.

Did You Know?

• Joe Alwyn co-wrote the song after Taylor Swift heard him singing a fully formed chorus from another room while they were in quarantine.
• The characters James, Betty, and Inez are named after the daughters of actors Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.
• Swift cited Bob Dylan's albums The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963) and John Wesley Harding (1967) as influences for the overall sound of her album Folklore, not specifically for 'Betty.'

Creative Origins and Collaborative Process

Taylor Swift conceived Folklore while quarantining during the COVID-19 pandemic with producers Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner. "Betty" is unique as the only track on the album produced by both men. For its sound, Swift referenced Bob Dylan's The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963) and John Wesley Harding (1967). She cited Patty Griffin's "Top of the World" (2004) as her inspiration for writing from a male perspective. Joe Alwyn, Swift's partner at the time, co-wrote the song after she heard him singing a fully formed chorus from another room; he was initially credited under the pseudonym William Bowery. Recording occurred at Kitty Committee Studio in Los Angeles and Long Pond Studio in Hudson Valley, New York, with instruments recorded at Hook & Fade Studios (East Williamsburg), Pleasure Hill Recording (Portland, Maine), and Rough Customer Studio (Brooklyn). Serban Ghenea mixed the track at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach.

Narrative Architecture and Character Dynamics

The lyrics describe a relationship between two fictitious characters, James and Betty. Narrated from James's perspective as a 17-year-old boy, the song details his apology to Betty after cheating on her during a "summer fling" with the unnamed narrator of "August." This love triangle is also explored in "Cardigan" (Betty's view) and "August" (the other character's view). James shows up at Betty's party to reconcile, citing his disdain for crowds and Betty's "wandering eye" as excuses. The song features Inez, a gossip named after Blake Lively's daughter; James admits that while Betty usually disbelieves her false rumors, Inez is right about him this time. The characters are named after the daughters of Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively. References to a porch and a cardigan at the end echo imagery in "Cardigan." Although Swift confirmed James is male, some media initially interpreted the song in a queer context due to the lack of gendered pronouns.

Musical Composition and Sonic Identity

"Betty" runs for four minutes and 54 seconds. Critics describe it as an Americana-influenced track reminiscent of Swift's early country albums, combining country with folk rock and guitar pop. The production features guitars, a pedal steel, and an interlacing harmonica. Reviewers like Hannah Mylrea of NME noted the blend of genres, while others described it as 1990s alternative pop or guitar pop. Vulture's Justin Curto compared the sound to Sixpence None the Richer, whereas Rob Sheffield likened the harmonica solo to Bruce Springsteen's "Thunder Road." The song incorporates a key change after the bridge.

Commercial Performance and Live Legacy

"Betty" debuted at number six on Hot Country Songs and number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100. It peaked within the top 40 in Australia (22), Canada (32), and Singapore (22). The single was certified gold by Music Canada and the British Phonographic Industry. Swift performed "Betty" live at the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards on September 16, 2020, marking her first performance at a country-music show in seven years. Accompanied by one harmonica player, she played a black Gibson acoustic guitar while wearing a burgundy sequined turtleneck and khaki pants. The live version was released digitally two days later. Swift auctioned the autographed guitar at Christie's for COVID-19 relief. The song is included in the set list of the Eras Tour (2023–2024).