Josephine - Chris Rea (Original 1985 Version)

Chris Rea is immensely talented writing songs, playing blues and slide guitar and his husky voice is unmistakably his own. He re-recorded much of his earlier catalog. I'm personally not a fan of those new recordings. The original releases are better by far.
This is the original album version from 1985. The single was already a remix.
Chris Rea has re-recorded the track 'Josephine' many times, and it exists in 7 distinct versions:
This original 1985 album version, which can be found on original vinyl and CD releases of Shamrock Diaries; length 4.26.
The 1985 single version, a completely different, more rocking recording; length 3:35. This was later included on the 2001 compilation The Very Best of Chris Rea. The promotional video for the single uses a slightly extended version of this, which is approximately twenty seconds longer at the start.
The more disco-sounding "Josephine (La Version Française)" aka "Josephine Extended French re-record", an extended remix created for a European non-album single release in 1987; length 5.39.
An edited version of "La Version Française" that appears on reissues of Shamrock Diaries in place of the original; length 3.56.
The 1988 re-recording created for the compilation New Light Through Old Windows; length 4:34. Possibly the most well-known version of the song, it has appeared on numerous Chris Rea compilations since.
An alternate, faster 1988 re-recording found only on US editions of New Light Through Old Windows published by Geffen Records, but not those published by ATCO Records; length 4.17.
A stripped-back 2008 re-recording included on the Germany-only compilation Fool If You Think It's Over - The Definitive Greatest Hits; length 3:58.

[thchruan]

So many great versions of this one song!

[indraterbeek]

The definitive version, and it;s a hole in one as it is the first one. It's surprising how hard it was to find this! The bass work is the real prize on this version, not complicated, but just perfect.

[niranjan]

A brilliant and a beautiful song by Chris. He is God's gift . Simply awesome

[isabelladestegonzaga]

Jeden einzelnen Schritt, den ich mach - mach ich für dich! Das ist Cool! :)

[WorthMyWeightinTea]

This is the original and best version of a sublime song. In my not so humble opinion, subsequent remixes lost the intimacy. My brother used to play this song on his guitar, back in the 80s and it’s the reason his eldest daughter is Josephine. ❤

[christianbellet]

Toujours un plaisir d'écouter cette chanson!

[-Bicyclenomad]

He dedicated this song to his daughter. And I have to say, when I heard it for the first time when the song was released, you did a great job 👍. 35 years have passed since then. But I still listen to the song! Simply timeless. And always brings back fond memories of better times. Greetings from Germany....Uwe ✌️

[thewardejitzzz]

By far the best version of this beautiful song

[citronbleu]

The piano solo on this one is so Jazzy awesome!

[mikebudd]

Such a classic version - the others don’t do it for me - and that piano outro could go on for ever

[christophermyers]

Love this song, his singing voice, and the feeling I get hearing it with my eyes closed... tears flow down my cheeks.😢

For some reason, I'm flooded with memories of my past, all the good times, and those who are gone?!

I wish I could time travel back.. 😊

[bytatita]

Greetings from Chile, the best and the only song of Chris Rea that i like me

[anthonysjoneill]

Gorgeous to listen to, and it brings back wonderful memories. Thanks a lot for uploading this.

[doroffmusic]

Favorite song. Great description! Thanks for that!

[tahirshahab]

Original Masterpiece tells about it's class. Simply Superb.👌

[Takadanobaka]

The Piano part at the end of the song gives me an eargasm ♫♪

[bobhillstrom]

I am 73 living in California. I have only been a fan of his for 6-7 years. Your description of this version and all the other ones is greatly appreciated. I like this version a lot. I thought the original version I liked was the video that shows the ice skater. Now I think I understand. I really like Chris with his great voice, guitar & slide playing, and his composing of some of the best songs I have heard.

[donamir]

Gracias por una canción tan apropiada y tan linda. 👏👏👏👌❤️Es mi preferido!! 👍

[sasaivanovic]

One of the best song ever!! Pozdrav iz Srbije

[gillesdiederichs]

oui, la meilleure version, la progression musicale est magnifique !