Written by: Ella Raath
Taylor Swift’s 2020 album, Folklore, was a change of pace for fans around the globe as Swift pivoted from writing about her personal life, to writing about entirely fictional characters. Swifties quickly found a connection between three songs in particular that told the bigger story of a love triangle: “August”, “Betty”, and “Cardigan”. This love triangle was even confirmed by Swift during the Disney Plus special, Foklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions.
“August” is written in the perspective of a girl, named August or Augustine, Swift clarified in the Disney Plus special. Augustine fell in love with a boy named James over the summer. Lyrics make it clear that Augustine knew James was in a relationship with a girl named Betty, “You weren’t mine to lose”, but she couldn’t help but fall in love with him anyways. Telling the side of the “mistress” shows how she was heartbroken, and not a homewrecker; she thought he might love her back.
“Betty” is written in the perspective of James, the boy who cheated on Betty. The song is of him admitting guilt and apologizing helplessly to Betty, in hopes she would take him back. He refers to Augustine when he says, “She said ‘James, get in, let’s drive’ / Those days turned into nights / Slept next to her, but / I dreamt of you all summer long” and later says, “The only thing I wanna do / Is make it up to you”. In the Disney Plus film, Swift called James foolish when Jack Antonoff, a cowriter and producer of the album, tries to defend him.
“Cardigan” ties it all together, as it is written in the perspective of Betty. Though I believe this version of Betty is a little older and reflects on the love triangle. She writes, “Chase two girls, lose the one / When you are young, they assume you know nothin’” and later says “And I knew you’d come back to me”, and “I knew you’d miss me once the thrill expired”. All of this shows that Betty was waiting for James to realize what he’s lost. Throughout the song, Betty uses the metaphor of being an old cardigan, and that James always picked that cardigan as his favorite, implying that Betty knew all along he was in love with her.
Swift has inspired Folklore fans to continue the tale of Betty, James, and Augustine through other modes of art. Short films, novels, and more songs have been created to further the story.
Featured Image Caption: Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Session
