Taylor Swift’s “betty” tells the Folklore love triangle from James’s perspective.
The three connected songs are “cardigan,” “august,” and “betty.” “august” follows the unnamed girl’s memories of a brief summer romance with James. “cardigan” presents Betty’s side, while “betty” gives James a chance to explain his actions and seek forgiveness.
This structure is one reason “august” returns to public attention every year. Its late-summer imagery works as a standalone mood, but listeners often revisit the other two songs to reconstruct the wider story. The songs are connected by characters and events rather than by being a continuous musical medley.
The title “betty” is written in lowercase on Folklore’s track listing. It is distinct from “cardigan,” which also became a prominent song from the album and is part of the same fictional narrative.