Betty – English Lyrics

• By: AJR

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into AJR's latest single, "Betty," a compelling song that masterfully combines raw, relatable emotions about commitment with the band's signature inventive sound. As you listen to its honest lyrics and unique production, you'll not only connect with its universal themes of love and fear but also appreciate how AJR crafts narratives that are both deeply personal and universally resonant. This track is a perfect example of their ability to make you 'feel' the music, inviting listeners to explore complex feelings through their distinctive artistry.

[English]

Betty, I really hope you're on my side

I really hope you get it

Betty, I really hope you're on my side

I really hope you get it

I tried to get my shit together

Now you want a break cause I'm not ready for forever

I wonder if you hate me

I bet I hate me more

Oh trust me, I'd give anything to tell you that I'm sure

I don't wanna lose you, I'm just thinking out loud

So could you call me back, hello, hello

I'm trying to work this out

I know your friends say when you know, you know

I just don't know right now

So could you call mе back, hello, hello

I'm trying to work this out

I know your friends say whеn you know, you know

I just don't know right now

Betty, I really hope you're on my side

I really hope you get it

Next time you see your folks at dinner

Just ask your mom to please stop pointin' at your finger

I know she calls me son now

Your dad, he calls me kid

I'm sorry I'm not man enough to face them both like this

Don't read my last two messages, I barely slept an hour

So could you call me back, hello, hello

I'm trying to work this out

I know your friends say when you know, you know

I just don't know right now

Oh could you give me just a year or so

I'll straighten out my head

I know your friends say when you know, you know

So maybe, maybe I'll know then

Betty, I really hope you're on my side

I really hope you get it

Betty, I really hope you're on my side

I really hope you get it

I don't know

I don't know

Betty, I really hope you're on my side

I really hope you get it

Betty, I really hope you're on my side

I really hope you get it

Betty, I really hope you get it right

I just don't know right now

Betty, I really hope you get it right

I just don't know right now

Betty, I really hope you get it right

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
hope /hoʊp/ A1	verb - To want something to happen and think that it is possible. noun - A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
get /ɡɛt/ B1	verb - To understand something. verb - To bring or put something into a specified state or condition; to manage to deal with something (e.g., 'get my shit together').
side /saɪd/ A1	noun - A position or place next to or near something, or a group of people supporting one particular view or party (e.g., 'on my side').
ready /ˈrɛdi/ A2	adjective - Prepared for something.
forever /fəˈrɛvər/ B1	adverb - For all time; always. noun - Eternity.
hate /heɪt/ A2	verb - To feel intense dislike for someone or something. noun - Intense dislike.
trust /trʌst/ B1	verb - To believe that someone is good and honest and will not harm you, or that something is safe and reliable. noun - Belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.
sure /ʃʊr/, /ʃɔr/ A2	adjective - Certain; confident.
lose /luːz/ A2	verb - To no longer have something, often due to misplacement, or failure to keep or win (in context, to lose a person or relationship).
call /kɔl/ A1	verb - To communicate with someone using a telephone.
work /wɜrk/ B1	verb - To resolve a problem or situation (e.g., 'work this out'). noun - Effort expended on a task or achievement; a task or tasks undertaken.
know /noʊ/ A1	verb - To have information or understanding about something.
friends /frɛndz/ A1	noun - People whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection.
break /breɪk/ A2	noun - A pause or interval, especially from work or a relationship. verb - To separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain.
face /feɪs/ B1	verb - To confront or deal with (a difficult situation or person). noun - The front part of a person's head.
messages /ˈmɛsɪdʒɪz/ A2	noun - A communication containing some information, news, advice, or request (plural of 'message').
straighten /ˈstreɪtən/ B2	verb - To make something neat or orderly; to resolve a confusing situation or issue (e.g., 'straighten out my head').
head /hɛd/ B1	noun - One's mind or mental state (e.g., 'straighten out my head'). noun - The upper part of the human body, or the front or upper part of an animal's body, typically separated from the rest of the body by a neck, and containing the brain, mouth, and sense organs.
right /raɪt/ A1	adjective - Correct or true. adverb - Immediately; exactly (e.g., 'right now').
shit /ʃɪt/ C1	noun - (Informal) Things; possessions; a situation or state of affairs (often negative; used in 'get my shit together' meaning to organize one's life or affairs).

Key Grammar Structures

• Betty, I really hope you're on my side

  ➔ Verb 'hope' followed by a noun clause

  ➔ The verb "hope" is used to express wishes or desires about a future or present state. It is often followed by a 'that'-clause (where "that" is often omitted, as in "you're on my side"). Here, it expresses the speaker's desire for Betty's support.

• I tried to get my shit together

  ➔ Past Simple Tense + Infinitive of Purpose + Idiomatic Expression

  ➔ The past simple tense ("tried") describes a completed action in the past. The infinitive of purpose ("to get") explains the reason or goal of that action. "get my shit together" is an informal idiom meaning to become organized or competent.

• I wonder if you hate me

  ➔ Indirect Question (Noun Clause starting with 'if')

  ➔ This is an indirect question, forming a noun clause that functions as the object of the verb "wonder". It's used when you are not directly asking a question but expressing curiosity or uncertainty about something.

• Oh trust me, I'd give anything to tell you that I'm sure

  ➔ Second Conditional (contracted 'I'd' for 'I would') expressing a hypothetical situation

  ➔ The second conditional describes an unlikely or impossible situation in the present or future and its hypothetical result. Here, "I'd give anything" (I would give anything) implies a strong desire for a hypothetical action (being sure) that isn't currently true.

• So could you call me back, hello, hello

  ➔ Modal verb 'could' for a polite request

  ➔ "Could" is a modal verb often used to make polite requests or suggestions, softer than "can". It seeks permission or action in a deferential manner.

• I'm trying to work this out

  ➔ Present Continuous Tense + Infinitive + Phrasal Verb

  ➔ The present continuous tense ("I'm trying") indicates an ongoing action or effort. It is followed by an infinitive ("to work") which specifies the goal of the effort. "work out" is a common phrasal verb meaning to resolve a problem or find a solution.

• I know your friends say when you know, you know

  ➔ Zero Conditional (implicit 'if' or 'when') within reported speech

  ➔ The phrase "when you know, you know" is an example of the zero conditional, used for general truths or situations where the result is always the same. Here, it's presented as a common saying or belief reported by others.

• Just ask your mom to please stop pointin' at your finger

  ➔ Verb 'ask' + Object + Infinitive + Verb 'stop' + Gerund (colloquialism 'pointin')

  ➔ The structure "ask someone to do something" is used for requesting. The verb "stop" is typically followed by a gerund (-ing form) when it means to cease an activity. "pointin'" is a colloquial, shortened form of "pointing."

• I'm sorry I'm not man enough to face them both like this

  ➔ Adjective + 'enough' + Infinitive of Purpose

  ➔ This structure is used to express whether someone or something possesses a sufficient quantity or quality for a particular action. Here, "man enough" means having sufficient courage or maturity.

• I barely slept an hour

  ➔ Adverb of Degree 'barely' with negative implication

  ➔ "Barely" is an adverb meaning almost not at all, indicating a very small amount or degree. It suggests that the action (sleeping) was performed to a minimal extent, nearly failing to happen.