Taylor Swift's secret 'Cardigan, August, Betty,' trilogy (Music Producer Reaction) 

Of Ashes the musical concept album written by my sister Anna Brown. It's truly incredible. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-eQLGdcjQn5E.htmlsi=DyiVqG3izsW7WUuy

Betty was just a girl who was betrayed by her boyfriend, Augustine was just a girl who fell in love and wanted love in return, and James was a stupid boy who hurt the hearts of 2 young girls. simple.

the difference between "just a summer thing" in Betty and "so much for summer love" in August is painfully beautiful, how differently James and Augustine saw the summer fling

peter losing wendy also means to me like she was ready grow up and james still uses being young as an excuse for his mistakes

Augustine came up and said "get in the car" and they took off... You know, nothing good starts in a getaway car. 🤷🏻‍♂️

notice how Augustine is just repeating the whole chorus all over again while Betty sings a whole new lyrics for every chorus bcs she know James so much (presumably for years) while Augustine only know James for just one Summer

In betty at 2:47 " she said james get in " and in august at the exact time 2:47, augustine said " get in the car " in betty at 3:14 " betty im here at your door step " and in cardigan at 3:14 " and you'd be standing in my front porch light " taylor really is a mastermind fr ... Genius

The parallels between “When you are young they assume you know nothing” and “I’m only seventeen, I don’t know anything” I saw someone say that’s a reflection of how we don’t take young women seriously because of their age but for young men, their youth is an excuse for their immature behavior. On point.

James is the villain.... Full Stop. It's fking toxic to suggest that dancing with someone else entitles the other person to cheat.

"playing hide and seek" is a double meaning. The song references child like behavior throughout for a reason. But here when she says playing hide and seek, she's referring to him sneaking around with augustine.

It's so horrible to think that Augustine keeps repeating the same phrase all the time because it's the only thing she has of him, that frozen moment in the summer that meant a lot to her and nothing to him.

why would anybody think that betty is the villain

Also notice that Betty, James and Inez are the names of Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ daughters. Blake and Taylor are longtime friends.

the point of the trilogy is that none of the girls are the villains, the real villain here is james. and if u notice in both of the girls song is that they never rlly blamed each other, but rlly blaming james. and also dancing with someone is not worst than actively having a fling on the side just bc he’s a “17 year old boy who doesn’t know anything”. edit : yes ofc none of characters are villains i worded that wrong. and ofc the girls also have their faults (dk about betty tho all she wanted was to dance but ig that’s wrong) but at least they admitted it and fully took the blame and didn’t point fingers (ehem james). and tbh my views haven’t changed on the trilogy but yeah i just wanted to say that james is not the villain, he’s the asshole.

Betty dancing with someone at the school party is definitely not worse than James actively having sex with someone for an entire month behind Betty’s back. lmao Let’s be freaking for real. It’s so “””funny””” how we hold girls/women and boys/men to completely different standards. James is NOT a baby and he does not need to be babied. He KNEW what he was doing lmao If Betty had been fucking a different guy for a whole month behind James’ back and broke little bitty baby James’ poor little heart, the reaction would not have been “awwww poor Betty. James is the villain because he was dancing with someone”. No. But that is the reaction for James. How…….. interesting lol (Also, I know this is a fictional storyline and obviously none of this is real and doesn’t matter in real life. So I’m only reacting to the story - even though you can make very real parallels with how people act/react in real life in situations exactly like this…).

How tf is betty the villain.. all she did was dance with someone. who tf cares. meanwhile james is over here hooking up with another girl for a month yet Betty’s the villain? weird.

Bruh, James messed up big time. How's dancing with someone can be considered flirty? Just because James got jealous because of it doesn't mean it's a valid reason to cheat.

And notice that at 2.37 on both August and Betty she sang “get in the car”. True genius.

The trio is iconic!!! Betty explains it all in the best way possible

Yeah - I definitely didn’t read it as James being too introverted a baby boy to dance. Maybe she wanted to dance with him and he was too cool and didn’t want to humor her? I totally read Betty and Augustine as the victims in this. Feeling some insecurity definitely doesn’t justify betrayal of someone you’re in a relationship with and taking advantage of someone else’s sincere feelings for you. James was a selfish fool who left a ton of collateral damage around him. Hard pass on this take, imho. That said, everyone can have their own interpretation since it’s all subjective and ambiguous anyway

Another small detail is that both Cardigan and Betty are way more describing than August which is implying that Betty and James knew each other for much longer time that James knew Augustine who had only that one summer with him. I must feel sorry for Augustine, she even lost her virginity with him just so he would stay with her. She really hoped that after summer he would eventually choose her, but he didn´t and went back to Betty. She also called James "Summer Love" while James called her "just a summer thing".

When James tries to blame Betty because she knows he “hates the crowds” and she’s dancing with friends and a DANCE I want to strangle him. Use your words, James. Don’t storm off and take advantage of the next shinny thing you see. Also, when he ask “will it patch your broken wing” makes me so angry. Betty replies that her father left her and then James cheats. Is that her brokenness he’s referring to ? Are those the scars he drew starts around only to make her bleed again ? I do have some sympathy for James, but only with the context of possibly other songs actually being from his POV.

Might I add, Illicit Affairs as Augustine's perspective when she's older (similar to Betty in Cardigan.) I see Cardigan as looking back as an adult but August & Betty still teenagers.💔❤️‍🩹💞

actually cardigan is older betty looking back on the relationship with james 20/30 years later. you should watch the folklore long pond studio sessions, taylor explains it better! she also states that she believes that betty forgives james and they end up together in the end. betty is james' apology to betty hence the teenage feel the lyrics have, while august is augustine looking back on the summer with james

Watched because of Taylor but I stayed for Anna. That song was so beautiful... Definitely going to listen to it again!

This reaction video is going to have a lot of views because the trilogy is confusing to understand at first...Glad that Anna is there to explain what is going on here.

Augustine will forever have my sympathy, she was the girl who was used and left behind by a reckless boy. Also I would love to see you react to "'Tis the damn season" and "Dorothea", which are two songs on Taylor's ninth album, "evermore", and they are both connected in a very interesting way.

Just watching your sister just going through all the emotions again, after probably listening to this trio a thousand times. 😌

i actually went back and listened to “this is me trying” from james’ perspective and my mind is blown

The way james said its just summer thing and august said its summer love, got me dying

I think Ms. Anna misunderstood Betty about the 'dance thingy', because right from the first line of the song, Betty moved to another class due to James infidelity during summer, so her dancing to another boy that time is kind of idk (Poor guys who was chose by Betty to dance with, because we don't know the full context if he is a rebound or a friend of Betty). If you're in Betty's position, you can't obviously choose to dance your bf whose cheating on you that summer right. So i think maybe Yes James is introvert, but the context there is Betty choose to dance with another boy, because maybe she can't just forgive James that time. Idk if my words are right, but that's how I understood the song😅. I also want to highlight that Betty's is not the villain, and no one's a villain between the three. It's just people making mistakes because of love and for love.

The shadow in the grocery line is also another Peter Pan reference. He was always losing his shadow and Wendy would have to sew it back on. I do believe they were childhood friends as well. It just fits.

first off, watching isaac slowly become a swiftie has become my favorite thing. first video i watched of his was his first taylor video, and every new one posts up for me. with this, i have now subscribed. hoping for more taylor videos from you!!!!

Cardigan is gonna be forever my favorite song from all her discography. I just love it so much 💜

Before I became a full blown Taylor Swift fan…I loved Cardigan solely for its vibe. Now that I’m fully engulfed in this world…I think James is the villain in this particular story. I love August as well. Cardigan stands as my #1 TS song to this day. Folklore is just a masterpiece. 🤯

That song you guys wrote/produced... that sounded incredible. Just thought id show appreciation for it.

It’s so interesting to me how differently you interpreted the story, because obviously we don’t have the whole context. But to me the story is, that James and Betty were together and were each others prom dates. He couldn’t be bothered to spend time with her („I was nowhere to be found, I hate the crowds you know that“) and she danced with someone, who was probably just a friend (at least in my head). Instead of talking to her about it James left her there, hooked up with Augustine over the summer and Betty found out because Inez told her. James wanted revenge and distraction, which is why he only describes Augustine as a „summer fling“, while for her it was much more than that („so much for summer love and saying us“). She really loved James and had her first time with him („whispers of 'are you sure?', never have I ever before“) and was desperate to be with him, ditching plans in case he calls, asking him to keep in touch with her once he goes to college and everything. What makes it even worse to me is James attitude in „Betty“, talking about her „stupid friends“, how he wants to „patch her broken wings“ by getting back together with her, thinking she switched her room because of him and never acknowledging Augustine at all, saying what he did to Betty was the „worst thing he ever did“, disregarding the whole time he spent with Augustine as a fling, insinuating that she was the one who made him cheat on Betty and saying that while he slept with Augustine he only ever thought of Betty. True villain behavior 🥴

16:30 that line always makes me feel extra bad for Augustine cus it alludes to her losing her virginity to a guy in love with someone else. 😢

he is not a sensitive little baby. he was clearly not introverted, "will you kiss me on the porch in front of all your stupid friends?" that is not an introvert that is a horrible guy who knew what he was doing the whole time. y'all babying him is disgusting. i'm seventeen and introverted and i would NEVER cheat on my partner. her dancing with probably a friend does not condone him sleeping with another girl alltogether. if you listen to the lyrics you can literally hear how he told augustine exactly what she wanted to hear so she would stay with him for the remainder of the summer. betty was a sad gf who's bf didn't care enough about her and then CHEATS on her. Augustine is the girl that was used and toyed with by a boy she thought loved her but he just wanted her for $ex. James is a horrible manipulative child who likes to use girls, HE IS THE VILLAN. Augustine and Betty are victims.

She really went into the studio and was like this is going to be the best album of my career

The song that you write/produced is really lovely ❤ thanks for sharing

I just LOVE these videos!!!!!! Keep them coming. I love how Taylor writes her music songs, huggggeeee fan

I have such a different narrative in my head of what happened in these stories. Betty and James were dating, but summer came and James spent it at the beach with his family while Betty was back home. James had his “summer thing” with Augustine, then went back to school where Inez found out and told Betty. James and Betty broke up, which is why Betty was dancing with another boy at the welcome back dance. James was pissed so he left the dance and started planning on how to win Betty back.

You should have him watch the long pond sessions of the three songs with the interview portion. He can see them play the instruments too.

I want a short film of these three songs and in this same order. ❤

i love the song colors!!! omg imma be checking the album out.

Wow!! Beautiful song Anna! I will definitely check out the musical!

I took hide and seek, giving me your weekends to mean he was leading her on, juggling other girls, here for the weekend, dive bar, back of cars, hookups, never committing. She truly loved him and he told her what she wanted to hear and hurt her repeatedly over many years. Never changed. He might have made her think they had a future but would run off for various reasons.

You guys are absolutely AWESOME!!!!!!

Folklore is just such a beautiful album and the trio is just so well-written !!! Also your song is beautiful will definitely check this out (i'm just a big fan of musicals!!!)

Great break down of the folklore love triangle! Favorite lyric is from cardigan, "peter losing wendy", brings a tear to my eye every time! Colors, WOW! Beautifully written and sung, thank you both for sharing, great work!

Your song is really good, what a nice writing idea, thank you!♥

Also, think of Illicit Affairs and invisible string for Augustine. If you really think outside of the box the whole album can be pieced together in the story.

but James says "I was nowhere to be found" and then goes on to say that Betty was dancing with another guy to her favorite song. So i dont get how Betty is the villain.

God James is an asshole. He refuses to take responsibility for his indiscretion and blames his infidelity on Augustine being a temptress, he shows up at Bettys party and makes it all about him again, and insults her friends.... and thats before we start to look at the words used in August and how they very much show that James was leading her to believe their connection was something more than what it was. Even when he's talking about being at the school dance, hes looking for excuses for why he cheated, like its Betty's fault for wanting to dance and have fun.

I love you two so much trying to figure this out

We need an evermore reaction asap

Looooving all the Taylor content! Especially with Anna in the mix! It’s the perfect mix of a first reaction to a song and then a deeper dive. Thanks for making these awesome videos 😊

A, B, C. In that order… Cardigan is Betty looking back.

in my head The 1 and Illicit Affairs are extensions of this storyline haha. you should listen to it!

Anna & Isaac, I am so glad you all did this! When I watched the original 5 song react video, I believe I said to the screen "but you don't have the full context!" The day I realized the three songs made were part of the same story in music, I listened to them back-to-back on repeat enjoying the whole package! It was the week before my daughter and I went to the Eras Tour and I was preparing by watching videos and listening to songs. In the music video for Cardigan, she ends in the cardigan and then the music video for evermore's opening track, Willow, starts with the same image and then the golden string that mirrors the golden light from the piano/piano bench in Cardigan. It makes me think that maybe, just maybe, James, Betty, and Augustine get to live happily ever after as adults in their own version of happy (whatever that looks like for them.)

Well does being Extrovert means being a crackhead? Does dancing with another boy gives your boyfriend permission to sleep with another girl? I mean why blame Betty she did nothing wrong it was James he messed up.

That was a cool video guys - once I knew it was a trilogy I went back & Relistened & it changed my perceptions BTW The piece you played from “Of Ashes” - oh my; that was breathtaking. Lin Manuel Miranda needs to see this - I think he would just love it

You gave me your weekends because you had another life during the week

Miss you guys!!!

James is sleeping around betty's back being in a relationship with her cuz he was butthurt she did a little dance with some one else and betty is the villain ? So much for smashing patriarchy 😂 (i know its all fictional but this just goes to show the mentality)

The 'colours' song was definitely the best part of this video I really like the song and their voices

I'm pretty sure Taylor says somewhere that Betty and James actually do end up together and Cardigan is her point of view from when they are older, but ended up together... I THINK! Lol. :)

What a supremely talented family

i love how taylor writes these songs in a way that demonstrates the personality and maturity of the characters. Their different takes on the same situation is so gorgeous. I would also argue that “the one” and “illicit affairs” should be added to the story line. they create more depth to the events and feelings of the characters as part of the story arch. “illicit affairs” after august and “the one” at the end.

Actually James is the asshole here cause he played with 2 girl 😂😂😂

One year ago I was at the same place as you. Taylor Swift for me was just a cringe thought of shake it off. Then someone told me "you gotta listen to 'maroon', it's gonna change your mind". I was VERY impressed by the production! Then the Swifties started recommending me tons of songs and I ended up caught in this great pyramid scheme that is the swiftie world... Long story short, I attended 2 concerts of hers in Rio last November and I loved every minute of that! (Even when she played ME! as a surprise song on my second show 😅)

Since the first time i heard 'august' i felt like it reminded me of something else, not just the theme but sound and feelings over all. Just last week i was listening music on shuffle and the Natalie Imbruglia's version of Torn played and it clicked for me, i only know tears now

Wanna recommend a song for next time? Join the Because Isaac DISCORD: discord.gg/K8rV3AXuMm

When I heard him slam August, I was about to comment when I saw this video on the sidelines. So glad you did the trilogy!

James is the worst. Augustine was probably just a girl at the beach town his family went to and he lead her on.

The first few lines of Cardigan are probably autobiographical references to her previous albums. Vintage tee - Debut Brand new phone - Fearless High heels on cobblestones - Red When you are young they assume you know nothing - Speak Now Sequin smile - 1989 Black lipstick - Reputation Sensual politics - Lover

The big question was never who is the villain/ who's in the wrong

In my ending to the story, Betty and Augustine ended up as a happily married couple and they both booted James.

“Plus I saw you dance with him” Sounds like James trying to make his act of cheating tolerable or fair, which does not at all compare lmfao, I hate James.

Loving your videos. I would suggest you listen to Epiphany (Folklore) is absolutely heart wrenching; in the first verse she sings about the tragedy of the soldiers-crawling up the beaches. The second verse captures the horror the hospital staff felt-it begins with “something’s Med-school did not cover”. Then listen to “Carolina” which was written for the movie “Where the Crawdads Sing”. Finally listen to “The Lakes” (Folklore)

Chasing shadows in the grocery line is also another reference to Peter Pan

I loved that you had Anna on here, that’s awesome! Both of you together made for a very entertaining video. I’d love for you to check out some of Beth Crowley’s latest music videos and tell us what you think! She’s really cool and does a lot of story driven songs as well.

@BecauseIssac please do more videos on Taylor Swift songs I have really enjoyed the videos you did.

Wow, a musical theatre writer - that’s so cool! I’m often told that my piano-led songs sound like musical theatre. I really enjoyed the original song! ❤😊

colors--vocals are crazy. delicate is definitely the word id use

Colors is so good!

"i don't know anything but i know i miss you" sounds like an excuse from james while "when you're young they assume you know nothing" from betty's perspective seems like it's an understanding for her, not an excuse.

You should also react to Illicit Affairs and My Tears Ricochet, both beautiful, deep songs from folklore (folklore is such a masterpiece)

I’m like 🤯 right now. I’m not a huge swiftie but I really enjoy these 3 songs and I had no idea they were related omg

At one point in my life i was Augustine, so the line "Wanting Was Enough" hits me like a red hot crowbar to the chest

What’s cool is Taylor singing all three parts… it’s almost like saying, “Maybe in some stories of MY life, I’ve been Betty and I’ve been James and I’ve been Augustine at different times.”

It’s not about her dancing with someone else that caused it, he’s not faulting her for dancing with someone. It’s about him seeing her dance with someone else and thinking that means she doesn’t want him.

Tis the damn season and Dorothea are another amazing duo off Evermore

One of my favourite bits of commentary on this trilogy is the difference in content / phrasing between cardigan and august - in cardigan, as Betty had known James for a lot longer, there's a lot more detail and description (think of the bridge) as she's remembering it all, whereas Augustine only really knew James for a short time, so august has a lot more repetition and goes over the same moments more often (get in the car, meet me behind the mall, for the hope of it all)

It’s always fun to hear other songs that tie back to these three. Illicit Affairs (being my favorite of the album), really shows how much Augustine really loved James, even if it was a high school thing. I know Taylor said James and Betty ended up together but I hope one day for Augustine to get her happy ending.

I just love folklore so much

wait what James is obviously the villain here? Listen to Taylor explain it in the Long Pond Studio Sessions

The hide and seek thing is about James going behind her back kinda thing

Betty dancing with someone does not equal James sleeping with someone else. How is Betty in the wrong????