Blink-182's previous single, "Dammit," found bass player Mark Hoppus pining for an ex-girlfriend who moved on with another guy. This time around, he's imagining his idea of the perfect girl. She's not based on anyone in particular, but "Josie" takes her name from a dog owned by Elyse Rogers of Dance Hall Crashers. The California ska-punk band is also referenced in the lyrics, alongside Poway punk rockers Unwritten Law (whose frontman, Scott Russo, also provided backing vocals on the track). Both bands toured with blink-182 and are among the fictional Josie's favorite groups: "And my girlfriend likes UL and DHC."
The character Josie shows up again in the song "Online Songs" on their 2001 album Take Off Your Pants And Jacket.
Another reference to the band's native San Diego is couched in one of Josie's winning qualities. Hoppus notes, "She brings me Mexican food from Sombrero just because." Sombrero Mexican Food is one of the band's favorite restaurants in San Diego and one of their regular haunts in their early days.
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