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The single was drawn from her first album, 1982's Convertible Music, a collection of songs displaying a wide stylistic range and an affinity for a neo-girl group sound. The album was produced by brothers Bobby and Larson Paine, who penned the two singles from the album, "Johnny" and "He Could Be The One" from 1982, as well as the album track "Rockin' Love." A number of songs written by Cotton could also easily have been singles, including "So Close," "Systematic Way," and "Bye, Bye Baby." Further establishing the neo-retro feel of the album is an updated cover of the Exciters' classic "Tell Him." The high energy of the singles (and potential singles) is balanced by a few slower-tempo songs, including the poignant "No Pictures Of Dad," a surprisingly mature and reflective piece. One of the "additional musicians" credited on the album is Geza X, famed producer of many influential California punk artists, who would have a long musical and personal partnership with Cotton.
In 1983 Josie made her motion picture debut in Valley Girl, the film that helped establish Nicholas Cage. The musical highlight of the film was Cotton's live performance of "Johnny Are You Queer?" and "School Is In" during the Prom sequence at the conclusion of the movie.
The following year saw the release of Cotton's second album, From The Hip, again produced by Bobby and Larson Paine. The album picks up where Convertible Music left off, featuring well-crafted melodic pop and production which would fit comfortably among songs by the Shangri-Las or the Shirelles. The single from the album was a cover of "Jimmy Loves Maryann," originally by Looking Glass, which failed to achieve chart success in spite of its potential. Also included was a spirited cover of Gary US Bonds' "School Is In."
In 1986 Josie made her second motion picture appearance, acting alongside Adam Ant in the film Nomads, portraying one of a group of ancient malevolent spirits inexplicably incarnated in modern times as a gang of antisocial punks. Regrettably, her role in the film was a non-speaking part.
Cotton was out of the public eye for much of the latter part of the 80's and early 90's, re-emerging in 1993 with the album Frightened By Nightingales on Roxco Records. Produced and largely written by Bill Rhea, the new album marked a dramatic shift in styles. Many of the songs feature a slower tempo, are written in a minor key, and string sections have replaced the keyboards. Also in striking contrast to earlier albums is the bizarre cover art by Robert Williams. Cotton and Rhea were supported on the album by guitarist Paul Burton, bassist Randy Weaver, and drummers Joe Berardi and Boyd Shermis, with occasional contributions by Geza X.
In the latter part of the 90's Cotton and X would establish a state-of-the-art home studio in Malibu called Satellite Park. A new album by Cotton is scheduled for release in late 2002, entitled The Influence Of Fear On Salesmen.