In today’s episode, we harken back to the Folklore album to get into all the messy teenage drama of Augustine, Betty and James. Taylor writes three songs that unfold this teenage love triangle, August, Betty and Cardigan. Alicia takes you through the details of each track and then details the lyrics for all of the angst and bad decision making. Also, many thoughts about James, who could have done better.

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⁠⁠Taylor Swift: The Stories Behind the Songs⁠⁠, by Annie Zaleski (Amazon.com)

⁠All 274 of Taylor Swift’s Songs, Ranked⁠, by Rob Sheffield. Rolling Stone, April 2024.

Taylor Swift talking about august (YouTube)

Taylor Swift - august (Official Lyric Video) (YouTube)

Taylor Swift - betty (Official Lyric Video) (YouTube)

Taylor Swift - cardigan (Official Lyric Video) (YouTube)

Taylor Swift - august (folklore: the long pond studio sessions) HQ video (YouTube)

Taylor Swift - betty (folklore: the long pond studio sessions) (Live/2020) (YouTube)

Taylor Swift - cardigan (folklore: long pond studio sessions) (Live/2020) (YouTube)

Taylor Swift - betty (Live from the 2020 Academy of Country Music Awards) (YouTube)

Sources