Your Favourite Song Was Playing From The Far Side Of The Gym

This week’s theme for Song-Lyric-Sunday is Country music – a genre I know a little more about. I lived in the US for a short time in my twenties (post grad placement) and was able to enjoy a lot of live country music performances. I was inclined to choose something very classic when I saw this theme, but then I realized it was an opportunity to pick something more recent, by an artist we heard a lot of in our household just over a year or so ago.

We had some very dear friends stay in our home for a few months when they had to leave their home but at the same time faced a challenge as ill health meant they could not travel back to the US immediately. So, we were delighted that we were able to accommodate them here. Those few months I will always treasure. Our precious friend passed away last spring, but I know she adored Taylor Swift and her music.

I am familiar with some of Taylor Swift’s catalogue of songs and enjoy some of them very much. But whenever I see her mentioned in the media, my heart swells with appreciation for her prolific writing, for she provided our dear friend with so much distraction and pleasure. This is a live performance from Taylor Swift of a track called “Betty”.

Credits: William Bowery and Taylor A. Swift

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 straight to hell
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 straight to hell
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 sinking 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
Kissing in my car again
Stopped at a streetlight, you know I miss you