Taylor Swift’s song “Betty” tells James’s perspective in Folklore’s three-song love triangle.
The song follows James as he tries to repair his relationship with Betty after a mistake involving the unnamed narrator of “August.” Its lyrics present James as young, apologetic, and uncertain about whether Betty will forgive him.
“Betty,” “Cardigan,” and “August” share characters and overlapping events, but they are not three versions of the same recording. “Cardigan” is associated with Betty’s viewpoint, “Betty” with James’s viewpoint, and “August” with the unnamed girl in the summer romance.
The name James has prompted fan discussion because Swift included several character names and clues throughout Folklore. Nevertheless, the song’s narrative perspective is explicit enough for the canonical answer: “Betty.” The track also stands out musically for its country-influenced, acoustic arrangement within an album known for atmospheric indie sounds.