“Betty” tells James’s perspective in the Folklore love triangle that also includes “August.”
The three connected songs present different sides of one fictional story. In “August,” a girl experiences a short summer romance with James, who is already connected to Betty. “Cardigan” shows Betty’s perspective, while “Betty” gives James a voice as he returns and asks for forgiveness.
Swift’s use of recurring names and details encourages listeners to read the songs together, but each track stands alone. The characters and story arcs were imagined for Folklore rather than presented as a literal account of Swift’s biography.
“Betty” was also released to country radio in 2020 and reached number six on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. That chart history is separate from the song’s narrative role. The annual August trend centers on “August” itself, while “Betty” is important because it completes the fictional triangle surrounding the seasonal song.