The riff for this song was written in Redwood City, California, in Late November, 2013, whilst I was out there for work. My friend and ex-colleague Bryan Wright lent me this gorgeous gold top Les Paul. I wrote the song on that.
My life (especially childhood and adolescence) has been blessed by the presence of very capable and strong women. My Mum is a prime example. My Aunt Annick (about whom the song “En Famille” on the first album was written) is another example. They have been major influences and sources of support to me. Then Joe’s Mum June (about whom the song “June in June” on the “Roots” album) is a third. My wife Juliet is a fourth.
Another strong woman who featured significantly in my adolescence was a wonderful neighbour by the name of Betty Hill. She was a delightful character. Elegant and stylish, and already in her late seventies when I first got to know her, she exhibited an impressive and enviable zest for life – a real joie-de-vivre. I was fabulously impressed. She was a great source of encouragement and used to tell me that in this world, all things were possible. This was very reassuring to hear for a vulnerable adolescent.
Although this song “Betty” is a shout out (and “thank you”) to Betty Hill, she is really a metonym for all the great women I have been lucky to know in my life.