Taylor Swift’s “cardigan” tells the Folklore love-triangle story from Betty’s perspective.
“cardigan,” “august,” and “betty” form the three-song narrative Swift called the Teenage Love Triangle. “august” is narrated by the unnamed girl who has a summer relationship with James, while “betty” is told from James’s viewpoint. “cardigan” presents Betty reflecting on the relationship and its aftermath.
The songs use different moments and viewpoints rather than simply repeating one event. This structure lets the listener compare James’s apology, Betty’s memories, and the other girl’s hope that the summer romance might become permanent.
“cardigan” was also the lead single from Folklore and was released with a music video directed by Swift. It became a major chart success, debuting at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s title refers to a cardigan as a metaphor for being remembered, valued, and emotionally worn by someone.