the folklore love triangle explained: cardigan, august & betty

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  • čas přidán 12. 05. 2024
  • the folklore love triangle explained: cardigan, august & betty
    in today’s video I’m going to be breaking down the folklore love triangle. we’re doing a lyric breakdown as well and doing a deep dive into the meaning and parallels between all the lyrics of these 3 songs.
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Komentáře • 604

  • @kitwrites9345
    @kitwrites9345 Před rokem +1790

    The best part about the lyrics 'Meet me behind the mall' is if you shift the M it turns into 'Meet me behind them all' implying that she subconsciously knew that it was an affair.

    • @tambouline
      @tambouline Před rokem +119

      wow, taylor (and you) are reallyyyyy dedicated to their work huh

    • @felienmusic
      @felienmusic Před rokem +28

      OH MY GOSH that amazing

    • @ryanremenap5616
      @ryanremenap5616 Před rokem +23

      @@gopikasumith9016 were we not supposed to? i always did... I just now realized it's only three songs not more, like illicit affairs and the 1

    • @firalogi
      @firalogi Před rokem +3

      wait WHAT

    • @LucyDaniel6
      @LucyDaniel6 Před 11 měsíci +3

      @@ryanremenap5616 yea i feel like the 1 and illicit affairs fit it there an make sense but its not

  • @capybara1335
    @capybara1335 Před rokem +3616

    Have you noticed how James describes his romance with August as “just a summer thing” while she calls it “summer love”? 🥲 Justice for August!!

    • @NenaShelby
      @NenaShelby  Před rokem +275

      omg so true 😭😭

    • @nesta3348
      @nesta3348 Před rokem +52

      why? she new he had a girlfriend? she had no business with him

    • @Idkwhattonamemyself545
      @Idkwhattonamemyself545 Před rokem +94

      @@nesta3348 I don’t think she knew. Judging by the lyrics of Betty I think James’s and Betty’s relationship was secret.

    • @nesta3348
      @nesta3348 Před rokem +7

      @@Idkwhattonamemyself545 what makes you think that, I didn't see it in the lyrics

    • @Idkwhattonamemyself545
      @Idkwhattonamemyself545 Před rokem +62

      @@nesta3348 the “kiss me on the front porch in front of your stupid friends” (or something like that) makes it seem like no one knew about them. Like maybe their friends wouldn’t approve of their relationship so they kept it secret, but now James doesn’t give a crap anymore. Also the “meet me behind the mall. That one probably doesn’t mean anything but it’s a secretive place so maybe? This is all speculation though. You can interpret anyway you want to.

  • @kassieramsdell622
    @kassieramsdell622 Před rokem +2519

    MY favorite is that “Get in the car” from August and “James get in” from Betty both happen at the 2:47 time stamp in both songs!!! AND 2+4+7=13 🤯🤯🤯

    • @mihirbapatwritings1234
      @mihirbapatwritings1234 Před rokem +287

      THIS WOMAN’S MINNNND!!!! that’s too much for a coincidence tbh

    • @gretchenpratt4080
      @gretchenpratt4080 Před rokem +157

      no freaking way!!!!!!
      i cant with u taylor

    • @kassieramsdell622
      @kassieramsdell622 Před rokem +33

      @@mihirbapatwritings1234 I KNOW RIGHT

    • @trifley926
      @trifley926 Před rokem +28

      what does 13 represent?

    • @gretchenpratt4080
      @gretchenpratt4080 Před rokem +71

      @@trifley926 it is taylors lucky number; she was born on the 13th, her first hit "Tim McGraw" had a 13 second intro, and so on

  • @secretsanta2368
    @secretsanta2368 Před rokem +801

    what hurts most about august's pov is that she doesn't even blame james; "you weren't mine to lose." she has no one to blame but her self and she just had to accept the fact that he never really loved her, they were never really together and he wasn't hers to lose :') i also think that the line from illicit affairs, "and you know damn well that for you i would ruin my self a million little times", seems like its written for james from august's perspective.

    • @bremathews8430
      @bremathews8430 Před rokem +7

      stop thats what ive beem saying!!!!

    • @addisyn-nq2sx
      @addisyn-nq2sx Před 10 měsíci +13

      @@bremathews8430 Same I always thought that illicit affairs was kind of like a song connecting all three and just showing how much pain it caused all of them.

  • @nubesvaporosas7191
    @nubesvaporosas7191 Před rokem +1549

    Girl i noticed betty ends with "stopped at a streetlight you know i miss you" and in cardigan betty says "but i knew you, standing in your levy's drunk under a streetlight" GUYS HE WAS DRUNK WHEN HE WENT TO THE PARTY
    Wtf what a toxic boy

    • @NenaShelby
      @NenaShelby  Před rokem +196

      AHHHH WTH

    • @goldylips5638
      @goldylips5638 Před rokem +27

      Ohhh yeah I never noticed that

    • @KristineWPhilbin
      @KristineWPhilbin Před rokem +67

      ‘to kiss in cars and downtown bars’
      ‘kissin in my car again stopped at a streetlight’
      i think that by streetlight, she meant that it was one of those lamps on the sidewalk that lin manuel miranda cleans in mary poppins returns (random connection lol)

    • @killikate926
      @killikate926 Před rokem +19

      @@KristineWPhilbin They're too young to be going to bars. It makes me think it's a memory after the whole HS events.

    • @onurturekmt1595
      @onurturekmt1595 Před rokem +15

      My opinion James bad guy Betty is OK August queen if you don’t agree with me I would love to hear your opinion of the characters❤

  • @vaibhavikulkarni3180
    @vaibhavikulkarni3180 Před rokem +458

    few things
    1. betty and cardigan both end like a nicely tied bow but august just fades out...
    2. august repeats the same lyrics bcs augustine only knew james for a summer but cardigan has more lyrics bcs betty knew james and small details about him :((

  • @luisabarsaglini
    @luisabarsaglini Před rokem +1674

    My opinion: I think Betty and James had a massive fight at the school ball because James saw her dancing with a guy and was super jeoulous. They decide to give a break and Betty thought that in the next day everything would be fine again, but then James meets Augustine in the way home and spends the whole summer ghosting Betty; but in the end he dicides that he wants her again, and they're together for good.

    • @NenaShelby
      @NenaShelby  Před rokem +223

      ooo this is an interesting perspective!

    • @kosmikpixie
      @kosmikpixie Před rokem +96

      I disagree. Once a cheater, always a cheater.

    • @jacksonsnow6901
      @jacksonsnow6901 Před rokem +2

      I truly one gg

    • @jasminerose6418
      @jasminerose6418 Před rokem +95

      i agree with this because james says “betty i know where it all went wrong”, meaning this is why i did what i did, then proceeds to
      describe the dance and what he saw and I think the “walking home on broken cobblestones just thinking of you” part is james walking home from the dance with this huge misunderstanding still thinking about betty and this random guy. Once the song says “she said ‘james get in let’s drive’ those days turned into nights”, i believe the whole affair started because he thought betty was being unfaithful or fickle and just wanted something to drown their sorrows in and august just happened to be there at the right time.

    • @tasneem2013
      @tasneem2013 Před rokem +19

      my question is how long do we think betty and james were together for before he cheated

  • @veelat
    @veelat Před rokem +531

    Literally james the biggest red flag🚩 he blames august and betty for his mistakes and now he’s APOLOGIZING and only to betty? August deserves better and I REFUSE to believe that betty and james ended up together. Betty should’ve found a better man.

    • @kelleycheek5142
      @kelleycheek5142 Před rokem +39

      She should've but she didn't think any better of herself but that she was an old sweater under someone's bed :(

    • @LanceNeedsSleep
      @LanceNeedsSleep Před 5 měsíci +3

      DID YOU JUST SAY "BETTER MAN"??

    • @TexasVanessa
      @TexasVanessa Před 2 měsíci

      Betty's karma was a guy on the Chiefs coming home to HER.

  • @gtu368
    @gtu368 Před rokem +348

    also august describes it as a “summer love” while James says it was “just a summer thing”. poor august lol

  • @user-lm8dl5zz4u
    @user-lm8dl5zz4u Před 4 měsíci +82

    As a male, even I agree that what James did wasn't forgivable. Oh poor August, she deserved so much better

    • @hooman9554
      @hooman9554 Před 4 měsíci +11

      justice for auguust

    • @juliannesmusic
      @juliannesmusic Před 2 měsíci +2

      i'm august in real life, but i didn't know betty existed

    • @soobindoll9561
      @soobindoll9561 Před měsícem

      @@juliannesmusicwait how you didn’t know? 😭

  • @adelambrus7178
    @adelambrus7178 Před rokem +558

    in my opinion the paralell between the lyric “i’m only 17, i don’t know anything” in betty and all those lines about being young but still knowing everything in cardigan are not serving the pupose of making james more guilty for doing what he did. i think it just proves how mature betty was at the age of 17 and how immature james was. i like this paralell, because it feels almost like these are inherited personality traits. i like how james was stupid and young and using this as an excuse, because it also gives the story a feeling that this whole plot have happened many times in history. this is just something small, that makes this album more “folkloric” and also timeless in my opinion. the lyrics in cardigan also show that james’ actions were adjustable, and betty’s decision of taking him back was reasonable, but the pain still sort of lives in betty from the experience of being betrayed in that way while being so young. it’s crazy how well-written this whole thing is. taylor swift is truly such a genius.

    • @kikilena8242
      @kikilena8242 Před rokem +38

      I 100% agree with you, I personally associate the line ‘Peter losing Wendy’ with this too. James being immature and childish like Peter Pan, losing Wendy (Betty) who is so mature and growing up faster than he is

  • @metagasperlin6219
    @metagasperlin6219 Před rokem +326

    i really need a short film about this 😫

    • @isabellanielsen1005
      @isabellanielsen1005 Před rokem +16

      i need a whole film

    • @charlotte_may3213
      @charlotte_may3213 Před rokem +5

      LITERALLY

    • @lokislilproductions6542
      @lokislilproductions6542 Před rokem +6

      She's made the perfect trilogy of movies, we just need one more sister album (aka woodvale):
      folklore act i
      evermore act ii
      woodvale act iii

    • @lilaclungs
      @lilaclungs Před 10 měsíci +1

      @@lokislilproductions6542what’s woodvale?

    • @lokislilproductions6542
      @lokislilproductions6542 Před 10 měsíci +7

      @lilaclungs basically when she was testing out the different album covers she put woodvale on one instead of folklore so people started to think that was the next sister album

  • @ilyy.jasmia
    @ilyy.jasmia Před 11 měsíci +35

    petition for taylor to make a folklore love triangle book.

  • @imanolvalencia8894
    @imanolvalencia8894 Před rokem +216

    See this, this is what years of being a swifite gives you. You're a good one Nena thank you for explaining this teenage heartbreak

  • @wildestdreams7721
    @wildestdreams7721 Před 9 měsíci +47

    I think that not only these 3 songs but also the whole folklore album is connected. In my opinion, after that party he still switched back and forth between August and Betty, and in the end he had neither of them.
    “The 1” could be Augustine’s perspective on James and the relationship they had many years later, “if you wanted me, you really should’ve shown; if you never bleed, you’re never gonna grow”, “it would’ve been sweet, if it could’ve been me”.
    “Cardigan” is an older Betty looking back, and it is this song that made me think Betty and James did not end up together, since it’s written all in past tense.
    “Exile” describes the dynamic between Betty and James, she gave him “second, third, and hundreth chances”, but she got tired of hearing his excuse, so she “never hear him out”.
    “Mirrorball” is a sneak peek into August’s mindset and psychology, how she desperately wanted to be loved and needed people’s validation.
    “Seven” is quite a stretch, but it could be little Betty singing about her childhood friend August.
    “Illicit Affair” is the relationship between August and James, suggested that he still continued a secret affair with her, “a drug that only worked for the first few hundreds times”, “it’s born from just one single glance, but it dies a million times”.
    “This is me trying”: Idk maybe it’s just me, but it sounds like James’s perspective. He felt incredibly guilty about what he’s done and who he has become. He’s “here in Betty’s doorway”, just trying.

    • @isabelflann4087
      @isabelflann4087 Před 5 měsíci +4

      Okay I wasn't sure about all of these but I am convinced by the "here in your doorway"!

    • @NotNautam
      @NotNautam Před 3 měsíci +4

      This does make sense,
      The 1 is the perspective of august of moving on
      Exile is perspective of betty(Taylor) and james(Bon Iver)
      "I can see you standin' honey, with his arms around your body" He realised her new boyfriend is much more loving and being loved by her.
      "I think I've seen this film before" as he is seeing her leaving her for the 2nd time.
      "You didn't even hear me out" Betty was fed up of listening of his excuses, after giving him "second, third and hundrenth chances"
      "You're not my homeland anymore" James also realising there is nothing to put efforts on.

  • @JiaFaFia
    @JiaFaFia Před rokem +281

    Taylor is such a good storyteller that its insane

  • @jiorixxchii2713
    @jiorixxchii2713 Před rokem +108

    PLUS in betty the line "It was just a summer thing" parallels with August in the line "So much for summer love"
    Poor Augustine

  • @PristineWhens
    @PristineWhens Před rokem +134

    I relate so much to the lyric, “I was nowhere to be found, I hate the crowds, you know that. Plus I saw you dance with him.” I just remember hiding in the bathroom or escaping parties and crowds 🥲

  • @bluemingsky
    @bluemingsky Před rokem +158

    I think Betty and James didn't get back together. Even though she never mentioned it but when I listened to "Exile " after these three songs it took me back to James and Betty and when he sings"you didn't even hear me out" , I think it kinda gives the idea of how they ended it she gave him "second third and hundredth chances" but she had enough of him excusing his behaviour on being only seventeen rather than actually taking accountability for his behaviour. Also in Betty he sings "saw you dancing with him" corelates with "dancing with his hands around you body". Betty found someone better for her and exile is from the perspective of them when they met again after breaking up. he sings "you're not my homeland anymore" because he lost her when he cheated on her and then tried to give excuses in the song "Betty" as to why he did that.

    • @a5947
      @a5947 Před rokem +6

      i was also thinking it could be from the perspective of the guy she danced with and maybe cheated with from the dance

  • @Alisha-dr8kg
    @Alisha-dr8kg Před rokem +62

    “You weren’t mine to lose”
    Augustine knew James ‘belonged’ to Betty but he let her have the hope that maybe one day that could change. She says “back when we were still changing for the better” so I definitely think the both of them knew what they were doing was wrong but maybe it was that that made them spend the summer together, after all, guilt shared is guilt halved…

  • @deepsikha6096
    @deepsikha6096 Před rokem +248

    I was 'Augustine' two years ago.
    Every single detail that you mentioned matches with my situation.
    He said to the other girl that it was nothing serious and it never mattered but for me everything was real.
    Two years ago I was that naive, sensitive girl who just wanted to be loved.
    But I've learned a hell lot of lessons from that situation. So, it's fine. I wish him good.

    • @softcoreluvr
      @softcoreluvr Před rokem +15

      I was also 'Augustine' back in high school & had a "summer love" with someone who liked someone else. Deluded myself into making him mine, but of course you know how that goes.. I hope that you find the worthy love you deserve

    • @fathiyamultazam1333
      @fathiyamultazam1333 Před rokem +2

      I can relate to u so muchhh !!!!😭😭😭😭

    • @dishabarode1122
      @dishabarode1122 Před rokem +1

      Same bestyyy🫂

    • @TheKingT17
      @TheKingT17 Před rokem +2

      @@AirBear250 So did you know of the other woman’s existence?!

    • @indiansubmarine803
      @indiansubmarine803 Před rokem +1

      @@TheKingT17 if she knew.. she is wrong

  • @chubbytodoroki2272
    @chubbytodoroki2272 Před rokem +35

    i think that "the 1" could also be seen as apart of the trilogy, having been wrote about james from august's perspective about how she wishes it was her and not betty

  • @leilaal-sahli7018
    @leilaal-sahli7018 Před rokem +60

    A parallel I think u might have missed is at the end of Betty James says “kissing in my car again” and in cardigan Betty says “kissing in cars and downtown bars was all we needed” so James just really wants to go back to how it was. I rly like that part

  • @yourstrulyanshika
    @yourstrulyanshika Před rokem +181

    THANK YOU FOR EXPLAINING THIS. I have been a swiftie for a short time and the augustine betty and james love triangle has been something ive been trying to figure out. Also, kind of a stretch here, but i feel like traitor by olivia rodrigo sounds like something august would sing, because there is a line that goes “guess you didnt cheat but ur still a traitor” and james never cheated on august because they were never together, and he was always gonna go back to betty anyways, so the fact that he played august like that was very traitorous.

  • @UnicornSprinkles369
    @UnicornSprinkles369 Před rokem +16

    I wish she would make a short film about this love triangle it be better than the twilight love triangle

  • @mariamonteiro9942
    @mariamonteiro9942 Před rokem +22

    When she said:"chase 2 girls, lose the one", "The 1" coul'd from agust's pov 'cause she wasn't The one, but she wanted to be

  • @Defnotsam_V13
    @Defnotsam_V13 Před 8 měsíci +162

    The 1- Betty accepting that their over ( older Betty looking back on a HS relationship with James) “we would’ve made it if you didn’t betray me” “ we got through it because we told ourselves you were the 1
    Cardigan- Betty’s perspective~her knowing James would want her back “ I knew you but not like a thought” “leaving like a father “ ~ James left her (metaphor) “ ya you come back “ ~ her knowing James would come back/ still loving him but needing time to accept what he did to her/ Betty knowing he knew what he was doing because in Betty James says” I’m only 17 I don’t know anything but I know I miss you” but in cardigan Betty says she( James) knew everything when I ( you ) were young
    The last great American dynasty- INEZ point if view- (in betty James mentions someone named Inez the 1 who told betty about the summer thing) Inez telling the story of Betty and James moving on~ ( betty moving on after James death)
    Exile - James and betty to each other ~
    ~James ~seeing betty with another person and getting jealous/wanting betty back so an unreal amount/ thinking Betty never cared about the relationship/ trying to save relationship but sees Betty with someone else ( wondering if he should try to save it)/ thinking their going down the same path again
    ~betty~ seeing him and knowing he wants her back/thinking James didn’t care about the relationship because she gave so many signs and he didn’t see them / giving James many chances
    ~both~ them being each others whole word but then it broke down - always having problems but it working out
    My tears ricochet~ James dying and Betty grieving- James wondering why Betty’s at his funeral when she left him
    Mirrorball~ doing things for other people and not yourself( August doing things only for James)
    Seven~ Betty’s childhood with James and his abusive family
    August- August’s summer with James/ thinking her and James were perfect /thinking she had James~hoping James would stay with her during the year / living for the hope of James and her/ hoping he’ll chose her instead of Betty( NOT HAT8NG BETTY)/(august is rly sensitive and she rly loved James)- could be mad at James because he was never hers , they were never together “you were never mine to lose” thinking she had James / for august James was enough “ for me it was enough to live for the hope of it all”
    This is me trying- betty rejecting James the 1st time he wants her back and James still wanting to try and get her back
    Illicit affairs- august, James , betty love triangle ( august trying to keep James with her )
    Invisible string ~ it’s all fate
    Mad woman~ betty going crazy after moving to another country/ getting with someone else
    Epiphany- James joining the military
    Betty- James perspective/ apology for Betty from James / “Betty I won’t make assumptions about why you switched your home room but I think it’s cuz of me ” James knowing he messed up/ James realizing her really loved Betty “plus I saw you dance with him” James accusing Betty of cheating when that’s what he did (throwing a tantrum)thinking of Betty while with august ( “ well she came and I couldn’t resist so I went in the car but I was thinking for you”) James realizing what he did was wrong- “and I planed it out for weeks now but its finally sinking in” ~ dreaming about what happened when Betty sees him again - “ betty right not is the last Time I can dream about what happened when I ( you )see your face again
    ~ eventually Betty takes him back
    Peace - Betty regretting things she did I’m the past
    Hoax - Betty copping with James death
    Extras thoughts;
    - James calls his summer with august “ just a summer thing
    - will you kiss me in the porch in front of all your stupid friends - I’ll show my love in front of your friends if you take me back
    BETTY- knew James would come back to her- thought august was horrible for stealing her boyfriend but as much as she thought that she knew James was really the problem
    JAMES - blames both girls for his STUPID mistakes- knew betty was the one but still chose august for the summer
    AUGUST- really loved James hoped he would still love her after the summer ended - barely knew who betty was
    Evermore is pt 2 of folklore
    Story:
    James and Betty were in love but over the summer James cheated with august and august thought that they would still be together after the summer but after the summer James realized he really wanted Betty and not august so James goes back to Betty and asks for her back and she says no. Then James asks again and she says yes. But then they break up again and James couldn’t handle the break up so he joins the Military and later dies. Betty has a hard time grieving with his death and eventually moves on. But after moving on she meets someone new they start dating and eventually Betty goes crazy and blames James , august and the new person she was with. Betty’s best friend ( Inez ) told the story in the end ( last great American dynasty) Betty regretted a lot with James and Betty ended up dying because of her grief
    Btw I worked on this forever so I hope y’all like it 😊

  • @ana-jv7jg
    @ana-jv7jg Před rokem +43

    one thing that breaks my heart is that august called what she had with james "summer love" (in "so much for summer love saying us cause you weren't mine to lose"), while james called it "summer thing" (in "if i told you it was just a summer thing"), showing just how much he cared

  • @imaloser374
    @imaloser374 Před rokem +103

    I think the best part about folklore is that the 5 characters within folklore (Betty, August, James, and then Rebekah Harkness, and Taylor herself) have their own songs, but then the rest of the songs in the album, fill in all the stories. Like mad woman is Taylor and Rebekah. Illicit affairs is the love triangle, the one (in my opinion) is augustine older.

    • @saltysummer
      @saltysummer Před rokem +30

      I like this idea/theory :) what if Seven could be Betty and August when they were very young from Betty perspective. Exile is older Betty and James not working out ( also parallel “arms around your body”/“saw you dance with him” “I’ve seen this film before”). Mirrorball from young August perspective trying/hoping to make James like her.. I haven’t thought about it this way before but feels like yeah they could all fit in a film of sorts

    • @peace5745
      @peace5745 Před rokem +14

      i always also thought that there was a bit of augustine singing about betty in mad woman , about how she took james back but refused to be as angry as august and no one likes a mad woman and james has made august like that

    • @glowinqlu
      @glowinqlu Před 10 měsíci

      I had a theory that the 1 is a much older betty after parting ways with James, I think yours makes a lot more sense tho 😭

    • @SevillaRowan
      @SevillaRowan Před 9 měsíci

      @@glowinqlusame bahaha

    • @KatieInTheLight
      @KatieInTheLight Před 9 měsíci

      Wait who's Rebekah Harkness? I missed something

  • @abigail4297
    @abigail4297 Před rokem +50

    one thing: “august slipped away into a moment in time” even though Augustine was hoping and hanging on to James, I think that deep down she always knew that he would leave her. But she just didn’t want it to be true. Hence “wanting was enough. For me it was enough “ idk but you but those lyrics are just screaming I’ll love for the time that we have bc you are going to leave me

  • @oliviapearson7913
    @oliviapearson7913 Před rokem +22

    I think Betty saw James get in the car with August!! I think she was leaving the dance trying to contact him on her phone when she looked up and saw James get in...."brand new phone, high heels on cobblestones"

  • @kejoko
    @kejoko Před rokem +45

    Something different: I really really love the instrumental ending of August. It’s so incredible. And of course this whole love story triangle is so fascinating. Her writing is so strong, so damn deep.

  • @flynn7314
    @flynn7314 Před rokem +21

    cardigan is track 2, august is track 8, and betty is track 14, 2 + 14 + 8 = 24, the album was released on july 24th, august is the 8th track, and the 8th month of the year, 8 days after july 24th is august 1st.... taylor has an insane mind. also you can of look like how i imagine betty

    • @RosieHuff138
      @RosieHuff138 Před 8 měsíci +2

      OMG I DIDNT KNOW IT WSS RELEASED 7/24? THATS MY BIRTHDAY 😭😭

  • @hamgee682
    @hamgee682 Před rokem +38

    James and betty had their names mentioned in the songs but august doesn't have a proper name cuz she was just a SUMMER THING to james... ALSO ITS JUST SO SAD HOW AUGUST CALLS IT A SUMMER 'LOVE' BUT IT'S JUST A SUMMER 'THING' TO JAMES

  • @proyojeetapaul4661
    @proyojeetapaul4661 Před rokem +27

    It hurts, when you are the August girl in reality but you know badly how wrong it is, how hurtful it is but you can't just leave and waiting for the hope of it all. And keep thinking why it couldn't be you and not her.

    • @sre7180
      @sre7180 Před rokem +7

      The sooner you leave this situation..the less it's gonna hurt later.. you deserve better...i deserve better...🤍

  • @adriana-es6tm
    @adriana-es6tm Před rokem +8

    i saw somewhere that "meet me behind the mall" could also have a double meaning as "meet me behind them all"

  • @milo5271
    @milo5271 Před rokem +28

    every time i listen to right where you left me i always think about august and how james just left her and shes waiting for him to come back, “you told me that you met someone” maybe implies that hes moved back on to betty and how she waited and waited for him to come back but he never did

    • @milo5271
      @milo5271 Před rokem +4

      just found out the song was about james this is a sad day

    • @rheanarayanan4209
      @rheanarayanan4209 Před 10 měsíci +3

      @@milo5271 wait rlly?? rwylm is in evermore i didn't realize the story continues to evermore thats so cool

    • @milo5271
      @milo5271 Před 10 měsíci +3

      @@rheanarayanan4209 technically it doesnt but i like to think that it does carry on to evermore

  • @momo5006
    @momo5006 Před rokem +96

    In my mind, I always imagined the relationship between Betty and James as nothing serious before that summer. I think they dated a few times and were attracted to each other but were never in a serious relationship. Then Betty asked James to come to that ball but at first he didn't want to come beacause of the crowds. He ended up there anyways because of her and saw her dancing with that other boy and figured she had someone else now and wasn't interested in him anymore. That's why he chose to hang out more with Augustine that summer. Maybe because he wanted to make Betty jealous as he was jealous of that other boy she was dancing with. But actually, Betty always wanted to be with him and was very upset when she heard that he seemed to have another girl. In the end, I think it was all just a misunderstanding because they never told each other what they were truly feeling. At the end of that summer, he apologized at her party for hurting her feelings maybe because Inez told him that he really upset Betty and that she had in fact feelings for him. But I think Betty takes him back and they figure it out.
    Awesome video Nena! Really liked how you analysed the lyrics and connected all clues :)

    • @thislovecamebacktome1367
      @thislovecamebacktome1367 Před rokem +2

      that makes really sense

    • @todeluuee
      @todeluuee Před rokem +13

      I agree. In my mind, they weren't serious at all before the dance. I can't really find any lyrics that supports them even dating to be honest. I'm sure they both liked each other a lot, but then the misunderstandings happened and it snow balled after that. I don't think this excuses James' behaviour, but it gives him more nuances which is a lot more interesting than if he was just an idiot seventeen year old boy lol.

    • @abigail4297
      @abigail4297 Před rokem

      yessss!!! i totally agree

    • @daliah8883
      @daliah8883 Před rokem

      this is how it is in my mind

    • @imawakemymindisalive13
      @imawakemymindisalive13 Před 10 měsíci

      damn poor august REALLY got played

  • @liz7064
    @liz7064 Před rokem +52

    When Betty gets back with James, I always think of the lyrics from all you had to do was stay “people like you always want back he love they gave away, and people like me want to believe you when you say you’ve changed”.
    This is definitely possible since presumably Taylor would put parts of herself into her characters, so its possible that Betty is a hopeless romantic and just hopes it’ll work out

    • @imawakemymindisalive13
      @imawakemymindisalive13 Před 10 měsíci

      betty is a pathological people pleaser and august is an argumentative antithetical dream girl

  • @16Sarahxox
    @16Sarahxox Před rokem +17

    I feel August 😭 that song hurts. I love these types of videos, it’s so fun diving deep in the lyrics

  • @kristinaswift13
    @kristinaswift13 Před rokem +19

    yesss I NEED taylor to turn this into a movie!!

  • @englasvenssonht2146
    @englasvenssonht2146 Před rokem +5

    The fact that I got Carolina from where the crawdads sing as advertising for this video is amazing

  • @liza331
    @liza331 Před rokem +13

    The contrast between "im only 17 i don't know anything but I know i miss you" and the lines in cardigan about being young and knowing everything to me is that betty knew everything that made their relationship special before she stopped being with james and thats why she wasn't the one that ruined them . James had to lose her to understand that he misses her and that the only thing he knows as a 17 year old is something related to her. However, he also use it as an excuse.

  • @lydiasadat5927
    @lydiasadat5927 Před rokem +8

    I interpret the "once in 20 lifetimes" line to mean the connection is extremely rare. It's not just once in a lifetime (the common expression). It's once in 20 lifetimes. Not just one, but 20. And I think that's her way of saying how valuable and rare their connection is. And I think that's part of why she took him back.

  • @killikate926
    @killikate926 Před rokem +25

    There are a lot of comments so maybe someone already said this.
    However, there is good reason to believe that after they got back together James cheated on Betty again (lines from Exile, peace, and more) and then went off to the military where he died (my tears ricochet and epiphany). Betty's lines in Cardigan seem to run deeper than just the high school affair. So then once she's lost the love of her life, she was free to pursue money like Rebecca in The Last Great American Dynasty.
    Also, I also feel for August, I think the song Seven is also about her. Although honestly, this whole triangle gives me Better than Revenge vibes from Speak Now, and I can see Taylors growth about the situation and the people involved. I wonder if her recording Speak Now played a part in this story.

  • @kirchb
    @kirchb Před 7 měsíci +2

    The trilogy is Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Taylor. Ever Since New York (Harry), Cardigan/Hoax (Taylor) and Don’t Let It Break Your Heart (Louis Tomlinson) all have lyrics matching up. Something happened in NYC. This all after Taylor publicly dissed Harry at the VMA’s in Brooklyn “Brooklyn saw me…empty at the news, there’s no water inside this swimming pool.” Louis looked pissed off and guilty after that diss. Louis:”I know you left a part of you in New York under your bed” and Taylor:”You know I left a part of me back in New York” and “and when I felt like a cardigan under someone’s bed, you put me on and said I was your favorite”. There are other references too in other songs like Louis’ “Lucky Again” and Tay’s “Hoax” . She talks about A Hero and the cinema. Louis replies with “if you think that guy is Superman ….they’re selling tickets at the cinema”.. to me it points to the film My Policeman where there is a love triangle. Louis and Taylor fought over Harry’s affections. No doubt. Taylor said “what you did was just as dark”….to me that’s s message to Louis. Maybe this is why Harry felt so compelled to do the MP film because he saw himself in the story. It’s just my analysis, but I’m really wondering about those NY lines. Louis’ song came out first before Taylor’s.

  • @jimenabrindis6722
    @jimenabrindis6722 Před rokem +16

    My opinion: Betty and August are just poor girls who suffered because of James (the most toxic boy I've ever heard about)

  • @oscarlopez1162
    @oscarlopez1162 Před rokem +10

    There's also a theory that says that apart of explaining betty's pov of the story, the first verses of the song cardigan define every previous era of Taylor:
    Vintage tee--> Taylor Swift (Debut) this i don't really know how to explain it.
    Brand new phone--> Fearless, with the whole Joe Jonas 27s phonecall breaking up with Taylor.
    High heels on cobblestones--> Speak Now, an era defined by fairytales, castles with maybe cobblestone floors...
    When you are young they assume you know nothing--> RED, she experimented a very hard and real love with Jake Gyllenhaal but people didn't take her seariously. They only defined her as a crazy exgirlfriend who wrote heartbreak songs.
    Sequin smile-->1989, in this era she became a worldwide superstar, and she had to fake a lot of smiles in pictures, also the sequins are very particular of the 1989 tour.
    Black lipstick--> reputation, not much to explain.
    Sensual politics--> Lover, she started commenting politics and defining her ideological matters.
    And also that the whole cardigan song is dedicated to us, her fans. This is shown in lyrics for example: giving me your weekends (assisting to her concerts), playing hide and seek (decoding her easter eggs), you drews around my scars (in some way, we saved her because we are always for her) but now im bleeding (due 5o the matter of the selling of her original masters)...

  • @edenrizzo7621
    @edenrizzo7621 Před rokem +10

    Another parallel in Betty and cardigan- it says “to kiss in cars and down town bars was all we needed” in cardigan. Then in Betty it says Kissin’ in my car again” therefore insinuating that they did get back together at some point
    But wait there’s more
    in cardigan Betty says “dancing in your Levi’s drunk under a street light” and the next line in Betty says “stopped at a street light”
    I also noticed
    Some lyrics in betty are in the past tense and that kind of makes me think that James perspective is him present day mixed with him looking back

  • @movchick
    @movchick Před rokem +20

    Damn girl you did such a great job! Always thought that august and cruel summer have the same vibe but in different time. Both songs are full of anxiety, unknown and hope.
    However maybe the next cruel summer will end for august in the best way

  • @jameshawke4542
    @jameshawke4542 Před rokem +13

    What a genius, after all this time I was trying to understand the teenage romance drama in the album. This video was really helpful, But now I can't stop thinkin' about it

  • @BeaB444
    @BeaB444 Před 4 měsíci +3

    There is also the entire folklore story and finally the folklore/evermore story which just opens up the story even more you get more perspective

  • @shanewilliams3469
    @shanewilliams3469 Před rokem +9

    Finally we get an explanation for folklore

  • @amandaleebee98
    @amandaleebee98 Před 11 měsíci +7

    I personally don’t think Betty was making James jealous, I think maybe they both knew they were something real but he didn’t ask her to dance and make it official because of his social anxiety. So basically to me it seems like Betty was asked to dance and said ok to be nice to someone else which upset James. This prompted him to run away with August because he was sad thinking he lost the shot with the love of his life. I think this is why August says you weren’t mine to lose because she would never be the one who had his heart because he was still longing for Betty. I think it is a love triangle but not a cheating scandal lol

  • @brynn22222
    @brynn22222 Před 9 měsíci +4

    i just can’t believe that taylor is this creative. she’s a mastermind. this is so amazing and i just love it.

  • @gx1287
    @gx1287 Před rokem +16

    How great would it be if Taylor’s movie was the story of this trilogy!

  • @deli_cate
    @deli_cate Před rokem

    i was reading a post about this yesterday, you just read my mind ✨✨😍😍

  • @angeta
    @angeta Před rokem +1

    I’m so happy you talk about this love triangle !! love your videos, keep going :))

  • @ellaalvarez2597
    @ellaalvarez2597 Před 10 měsíci +3

    Another parallel i noticed was that in cardigan, betty says “to kiss in cars and downtown bars was all we needed” and then in betty, james says “standing in your cardigan, kissing in my car again” so thats one thing and the next is that the song august seems a little more disconnected from the other 2 songs because its almost like james and betty were communicating to each other in their songs but since august was just ‘the cheat girl’ shes talking to herself wondering if he’s listening at all

  • @emilyblossom28
    @emilyblossom28 Před rokem +5

    YES NENAAA THANK YOU SM FOR A NEW VID, THIS IS SO AMAZING I LOVED IT SO MUCH, NOW I REALLY UNDERSTAND ALL THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE SONGS!!!

  • @sarafayad7835
    @sarafayad7835 Před rokem +7

    been waiting for its explanation for a while ! yayyy ❤️❤️

  • @rtan6922
    @rtan6922 Před rokem

    Your voice is so nice to listen to :) also woww as a new Swiftie this is so cool to understand!!! Thanks

  • @Tay.Nicole.Smith.
    @Tay.Nicole.Smith. Před 5 měsíci +2

    I almost feel like Cardigan is Betty's reaction to seeing James on the porch because of how both songs end almost with a question. I WOULD LOVE A MOVIE!!! My personal favorite song is betty just bc its so catchy but im team august!!

  • @emmaanderson9708
    @emmaanderson9708 Před rokem

    Love this!!!
    also nena will you teach a tutorial on stay beautiful plssss

  • @jteihdoehd
    @jteihdoehd Před rokem +2

    my fav swiftie! Thank you so much for making tutorials, you’ve helped me so much 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

  • @elinasufiyanova9155
    @elinasufiyanova9155 Před rokem +13

    I love this type of video so much, omg. I'm just learning English and these videos really help me in learning, thank u sm nena💞

  • @mihirbapatwritings1234
    @mihirbapatwritings1234 Před rokem +5

    love when u talk about these masterpieces in the Taylor universe! I always get a new perspective 💗

  • @Swiftiehorselover
    @Swiftiehorselover Před rokem +2

    Wow!! Didn't know they were this connected!! I knew they were connected but didn't know they this connected!! Thanks so much for posting nena!! You are amazing with dedication!! Thanks for everything you did!! ❤️

  • @JeSuisCalme
    @JeSuisCalme Před 6 měsíci +1

    OMG! This is so much new info! tysm!! Love these.

  • @bethany105
    @bethany105 Před rokem +1

    im so convinced that you are like the most underrated youtuber out there. i love ur channel so much; it feeds my swiftie soul just right: ))

  • @jasmeenbrar1739
    @jasmeenbrar1739 Před rokem +4

    Loved the video, i can go on and on about explaining this to anyone who asks me too loll, also you should do an August play along!! It’s the perfect time, you have tooo

  • @daniella5405
    @daniella5405 Před rokem +9

    This is awesome and thank you for explaining this teenage heartbreak so clearly🥰🥰

  • @valentudor5815
    @valentudor5815 Před 9 měsíci +3

    I am a new Swiftie, so thank you for this video ! It helped so much!💕

  • @abrilaquistapace6264
    @abrilaquistapace6264 Před rokem +2

    I loved how you explained it!! I'm a new swiftie, so this was sooo useful for me to understand better ❤️❤️❤️

  • @KittenPeso
    @KittenPeso Před měsícem

    This is one of my fav videos of all time I actually love this!!!

  • @Bunnysailormoontv
    @Bunnysailormoontv Před rokem +1

    Thank you so much for the explanation! I was confused lol now imma go back and re-listen understand it more and listen to story line

  • @hope-larusso
    @hope-larusso Před 10 měsíci +3

    omg i love the way you connected things! I see this love triangle so differently now! justice for Augustine!!

  • @hopperstoes
    @hopperstoes Před rokem +5

    i loved this video, taylor is such a great song writer

  • @canyonmoon4264
    @canyonmoon4264 Před rokem +2

    I literally found out 'bout the connection between these three lyrics a few days ago and u explained a lot
    thank u for the analysis It was so interesting🤍

  • @sarafayad7835
    @sarafayad7835 Před rokem +2

    yesterday.i was connecting the lyrical parallels omg

  • @reginemaepatoy
    @reginemaepatoy Před 10 měsíci

    I wish I had seen this sooner. But I'm still glad I had bumped this video over my YT. More of this kind of video, please. 💖 Would really love to binge watch.

  • @willowdraws13
    @willowdraws13 Před rokem +4

    Wow!! I’m so excited to watch this!!! Ik this is random but can you do a guitar tutorial for epiphany? If you dont have time i understand!! Ilysmmm

  • @msweirdo713
    @msweirdo713 Před rokem +2

    I loved this video! and your sister at the end HAHAH

  • @isabelhallak3437
    @isabelhallak3437 Před rokem +5

    tysm nena, i've been trying to explain this to my non-swiftie friends, and they just don't get it, i hope they understand it now

  • @CelesteRainYoutube
    @CelesteRainYoutube Před 10 měsíci

    THANK YOU! very helpful, I didn’t really understand the love triangle all that well 😊😊

  • @justaswiftie346
    @justaswiftie346 Před rokem +2

    Miss Taylor Alison Swift:YOU HAVE TO PRODUCE A FILM ABT THIS SITUATION!!!!

  • @mafer__reis7716
    @mafer__reis7716 Před 11 měsíci +2

    we need a folklore love triangle short film version right now!!

  • @Teh_Akod
    @Teh_Akod Před rokem

    I loved this breakdown.

  • @kamsandwichhh
    @kamsandwichhh Před rokem +3

    i totally agree with your opinions on when it takes place. i've always pictured it sometime in the 50s or 60s.

  • @miyamizukiworks
    @miyamizukiworks Před 9 měsíci

    I'm not the one to make theories or anything but listening to how the songs are connected and maybe there could be more others under different themes but yeah listening to how you are explaining them one by one its just makes a lot more sense and it touches my emotions a little more stronger!

  • @alaynatamura5394
    @alaynatamura5394 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Thanks for explaining 😊

  • @saeftuh
    @saeftuh Před rokem +9

    I love how you made this analysis because every time I listen to Betty I’m just like “Taylor the closet is glass sweetie” lol

    • @dani_gyl
      @dani_gyl Před rokem +2

      SAME hahahah. But I love her either ways. 😂🥰

  • @naomiisaiaholive4576
    @naomiisaiaholive4576 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Amazing ❤❤

  • @likethecolorsofautumnsobright
    @likethecolorsofautumnsobright Před 9 měsíci +1

    this love triangle is my literal obsession. i’ve already spent days trying to figure out this story, and it’s probably not the best way to spend my time but oh well

  • @yeojiherrscherofswifties3645

    Waiting for a Dear John lyric breakdown and analysis hehe💜💜💜

  • @alysonswegles8144
    @alysonswegles8144 Před 4 měsíci +2

    explained it so good, was listening to all the songs for the first time and didn't find all the parallels between the 3. After watching this video i finally understood it.

  • @justinheiss6060
    @justinheiss6060 Před 10 měsíci

    Also the back to December Taylor’s version thing I got to see put me in tears

  • @sturnioloplanet
    @sturnioloplanet Před 2 měsíci

    Thank you so much im writing an essay about Taylor swift and this helped alot!

  • @jhariette
    @jhariette Před rokem

    Love your analogy!!!!

  • @hebewayatt
    @hebewayatt Před 9 měsíci

    Wow, I did not notice this! Thank you so much for explaining this! I am definitely team August!