It’s been about seven years since Taylor Swift released a proper country song to country radio, so her brand new “Betty” is a very welcome comeback of sorts.
A little back story: After Swift’s song “Red” made it onto country radio in the summer of 2013, she started leaning into pop. Gradually at first, and then officially with the release of her first full pop album 1989 in 2014.
And now, with “Betty,” it’s hard to know exactly what came first. Swift’s still-loyal country fans requesting the song? Or the record label (MCA Nashville) promoting it as a country song? But either way, even before its add date, the song is being played and the listeners are happy. The harmonica-heavy song was reportedly inspired by Swift’s desire to give it an early Bob Dylan feel. And because the story in the song revolves around the drama of high school drama, it feels a little bit like a sequel to her “Fifteen” from all the way back in 2009.
Swift wrote “Betty” with William Bowery, and a radio edit of the tune without any expletives was sent to country radio to be added on August 17. “Betty” is from Swift’s latest studio album folklore.
Full lyrics of “Betty”:
Betty, I won’t make assumptions
About why you switched your homeroom, but
I think it’s ’cause of me
Betty, one time I was riding on my skateboard
When I passed your house
It’s like I couldn’t breathe
You heard the rumors from Inez
You can’t believe a word she says
Most times, but this time it was true
The worst thing that I ever did
Was what I did to you
But if I just showed up at your party
Would you have me? Would you want me?
Would you tell me to go (expletive) myself
Or lead me to the garden?
In the garden, would you trust me
If I told you it was just a summer thing?
I’m only seventeen, I don’t know anything
But I know I miss you
Betty, I know where it all went wrong
Your favorite song was playing
From the far side of the gym
I was nowhere to be found
I hate the crowds, you know that
Plus, I saw you dance with him
You heard the rumors from Inez
You can’t believe a word she says
Most times, but this time it was true
The worst thing that I ever did
Was what I did to you
But if I just showed up at your party
Would you have me? Would you want me?
Would you tell me to go (expletive) myself
Or lead me to the garden?
In the garden, would you trust me
If I told you it was just a summer thing?
I’m only seventeen, I don’t know anything
But I know I miss you
I was walking home on broken cobblestones
Just thinking of you when she pulled up like
A figment of my worst intentions
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
Betty, I’m here on your doorstep
And I planned it out for weeks now
But it’s finally sinkin’ in
Betty, right now is the last time
I can dream about what happens when
You see my face again
The only thing I wanna do
Is make it up to you
So I showed up at your party
Yeah, I showed up at your party
Yeah, I showed up at your party
Will you have me? Will you love me?
Will you kiss me on the porch
In front of all your stupid friends?
If you kiss me, will it be just like I dreamed it?
Will it patch your broken wings?
I’m only seventeen, I don’t know anything
But I know I miss you
Standing in your cardigan
Kissin’ in my car again
Stopped at a streetlight
You know I miss you