Fraser became a member of the Australian Christian music group Hillsong Worship from 2005 to 2010. She rejoined the group in 2016 and was a songwriter and lead vocalist for the Grammy winning song "What a Beautiful Name" (credited under her married name Brooke Ligertwood).
Betty
Brooke Fraser Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You got your Y.S.L. kicks and a red birthmark
In the shape of Canada
That you try to keep a secret
You got a quick clack walk and a cold hard stare
And if your eyes could talk they'd say they just don't care
Before they wander off
You've got your scars and you've got your birthmarks
You've got Toronto hiding on your hip, honey
You've got your secrets
You've got your regrets
Darling, we all do
You got a fool-proof plan for a lonely life
You won't be no one's daughter and no drunk man's wife
If a wife at all
It's a silly institution
Or so you keep insisting
You've got your scars and you've got your birthmarks
You've got Toronto hiding on your hip, honey
You've got your secrets
You've got your regrets
Darling, we all do
You're cool coy, 'bout to stroll, very hip
It's you that's hidden by the expectations
We want to see you, won't you show us where to start?
You're talking trash with your red liquor lips
It's you that tickle in the conversation
Sweet Betty, won't you show us who you are?
You've got your scars and you've got your birthmarks
You've got Toronto hiding on your hip, honey
You've got your secrets
You've got your regrets
Darling, we all do
You've got a quick snap-lock on your cold, cold heart
The song "Betty" by Brooke Fraser portrays a woman who is guarded and uninterested in romantic relationships, despite societal pressures to conform to traditional roles. The lyrics describe her physical features, such as her birthmark in the shape of Canada that she keeps a secret, and her cold demeanor. The song suggests that she has been hurt before and is avoiding future pain by choosing to live a solitary life. The line "If a wife at all, it's a silly institution" further emphasizes her rejection of societal norms. However, the chorus acknowledges that everyone has their own scars and secrets, and that Betty is not alone in her experiences. The song ends with an appeal for Betty to show her true self and break free from the expectations placed on her.
Line by Line Meaning
You got a quick snap-lock on your cold, cold heart
You have closed off your heart to protect your emotions from being hurt.
You got your Y.S.L. kicks and a red birthmark
You have expensive tastes and also have a visible birthmark.
In the shape of Canada
That you try to keep a secret
Your birthmark is in the shape of Canada, but you try to keep it hidden.
You got a quick clack walk and a cold hard stare
And if your eyes could talk they'd say they just don't care
Before they wander off
To hide inside their sockets
You walk with confidence and have a cold, distant expression. Your eyes communicate disinterest before you avert them to avoid intimacy.
You've got your scars and you've got your birthmarks
You've got Toronto hiding on your hip, honey
You've got your secrets
You've got your regrets
Darling, we all do
You have your own unique experiences that have left you with physical and emotional scars. You carry Toronto, representing your past, on your hip. You have kept secrets and have regrets, just like everyone else.
You got a fool-proof plan for a lonely life
You won't be no one's daughter and no drunk man's wife
If a wife at all
It's a silly institution
Or so you keep insisting
You have resigned yourself to a solitary life, and reject the traditional roles of daughter and wife. You consider marriage a foolish and outdated institution.
You're cool coy, 'bout to stroll, very hip
It's you that's hidden by the expectations
We want to see you, won't you show us where to start?
You're talking trash with your red liquor lips
It's you that tickle in the conversation
Sweet Betty, won't you show us who you are?
You present a cool and confident image, but this persona hides your true self. Others want to know the real you, but you engage in superficial conversations and remain elusive. The singer pleads for you to reveal your true self.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Brooke Fraser, Jon Foreman, Ben West
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michele Nascimento
You got a quick snap-lock on your cold, cold heart
You got your Y.S.L. kicks and a red birthmark
In the shape of Canada
That you try to keep a secret
You got a quick clack walk and a cold hard stare
And if your eyes could talk they'd say they just don't care
Before they wander off
To hide inside their sockets
You've got your scars and you've got your birthmarks
You've got Toronto hiding on your hip, honey
You've got your secrets
You've got your regrets
Darling, we all do
You got a fool-proof plan for a lonely life
You won't be no one's daughter and no drunk man's wife
If a wife at all
It's a silly institution
Or so you keep insisting
You've got your scars and you've got your birthmarks
You've got Toronto hiding on your hip, honey
You've got your secrets
You've got your regrets
Darling, we all do
You're cool coy, 'bout to stroll, very hip
It's you that's hidden by the expectations
We want to see you, won't you show us where to start?
You're talking trash with your red liquor lips
It's you that tickle in the conversation
Sweet Betty, won't you show us who you are?
You've got your scars and you've got your birthmarks
You've got Toronto hiding on your hip, honey
You've got your secrets
You've got your regrets
Darling, we all do
You've got a quick snap-lock on your cold, cold heart
No Way
It’s 2021, I always come back to this song even after many years..❤️
Eddy E.
2023 🥰🥰🥰☺️☺️❤️
Raul Jimenez
2022
Reinhard G.‘65
New descovered…
— beautiful melody
— powerfu lyrics
— excellent voice…
definitely underrated!
Michele Nascimento
You got a quick snap-lock on your cold, cold heart
You got your Y.S.L. kicks and a red birthmark
In the shape of Canada
That you try to keep a secret
You got a quick clack walk and a cold hard stare
And if your eyes could talk they'd say they just don't care
Before they wander off
To hide inside their sockets
You've got your scars and you've got your birthmarks
You've got Toronto hiding on your hip, honey
You've got your secrets
You've got your regrets
Darling, we all do
You got a fool-proof plan for a lonely life
You won't be no one's daughter and no drunk man's wife
If a wife at all
It's a silly institution
Or so you keep insisting
You've got your scars and you've got your birthmarks
You've got Toronto hiding on your hip, honey
You've got your secrets
You've got your regrets
Darling, we all do
You're cool coy, 'bout to stroll, very hip
It's you that's hidden by the expectations
We want to see you, won't you show us where to start?
You're talking trash with your red liquor lips
It's you that tickle in the conversation
Sweet Betty, won't you show us who you are?
You've got your scars and you've got your birthmarks
You've got Toronto hiding on your hip, honey
You've got your secrets
You've got your regrets
Darling, we all do
You've got a quick snap-lock on your cold, cold heart
Meggy Idehen
amazing somg😍
Rob White
What an absolutely brilliant song - in its music, lyric, construction and production. And performance. Brooke Fraser is a total joy.
Ritzielaine Rosse Sales
brooke writes such intelligent songs ...
karola
my mom used to play me this song as a child, its definitely my core memory
Leo Asile
Love from Italy ! So many Memories of 2011 with this Song ❤️🏳️🌈