Chris Rea - Josephine Apr 2026

: 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

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

: 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. : Rea recalls writing the song while alone

: 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" 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.