In 2005–2006, during my time in Belfast, I wrote two songs. One was about a panda — cannibalized more than fifteen years later into Lover Cover Me. The other was Josephine, born in early 2006 in a practice room at the Queen’s University Belfast Music Department.
Josephine was my French teacher. This song is not about her. It’s about someone else. But the name sounded right, so I ran with it.
The song is lo-fi. Like really, really lo-fi. I imagine lava lamps, fuzzy synths, deep basses, record scratches, time-stretched percussion, and smudges — all in a 12/8 feel that is Irish-inspired. I spent a lot of time in pubs that year.
The version here is a bit too clean, especially the “falling down” section, but it nails the melody and, in general, the sonorities I had in mind.
I’ve always dreamed of Josephine in a classy Belfast bar: plush booths, lights low, a four-piece band, and a straight-shooting, no-BS delivery from the tenor voice singing it.
Lyrics
She needs ten good reasons to get out of bed in the morning It's dinner at nine and she changes her mind without warning Today's the last day that I put my life off till tomorrow All my convictions are bartered and buried and borrowed Have you ever heard my name? Is a lousy lousy game. And ain't it a cryin' shame? Who's to blame? Have you seen her? Have you seen Josephine? She has all of Belfast undone with her sun, with her cunning She's never arriving or leaving, instead she is running She cannot commit and I'm done with it I remain silent Action's monopolized what we assume to be violent Chasing someone else's fame Is a lousy lousy game. And though you try to act all tame We're the same. Have you seen her? Have you seen Josephine? And oh Why must we accept this solitude? Joey can you hear me now? I'm falling down I am falling down I am falling down I'm falling down. I'm falling. Have you seen her? Have you seen her? Have you ever been stuck between her and life but too scared, so you would not leave her? Although the light's never been right, it's been too bright Tonight at your sight I ignite and I take flight Inviting the plight of your spite, I will not fight