Chris Rea - - Josephine

: The song uses imagery of rain, storms, and winter as metaphors for life's challenges, positioning Josephine as a beacon of hope and warmth.

: Rea recalls writing the song while alone in a hotel room on the third floor of the Intercontinental Hotel in Düsseldorf, Germany, during a rainy day—a memory he revisits every time he performs it. Musical Evolution and Versions

: After a record executive noted the song's similarity to Chic's chord patterns, Rea recorded a "dance" version on a lark. This version, often titled " La Version Française ," became a staple of the Balearic beat and UK acid house scenes in the late 1980s. Chris Rea - Josephine

: A semi-acoustic, blues-oriented track inspired by the rhythms of jazz-fusion bands like Weather Report.

"Josephine" by Chris Rea is a 1985 soft rock and blues-infused track originally dedicated to his first daughter. Released as the second single from his seventh studio album, Shamrock Diaries , it became one of his most recognizable and frequently re-recorded works. : The song uses imagery of rain, storms,

: The track was re-recorded for his 1988 compilation New Light Through Old Windows and several other greatest hits collections, with versions ranging from rockier arrangements to faster, rarer US edits. Legacy and Impact

: While often interpreted as a romantic ballad, the song was written for Rea’s daughter, Josephine, born in 1983. The lyrics, such as " you are the reason, the blue in my sky ," reflect a father's profound love and the sense of purpose she brought to his life. This version, often titled " La Version Française

"Josephine" is notable for its numerous distinct versions, as Rea often felt the need to refine its "groove".