Philip Bowen Teams Up With Charles Wesley Godwin On Heartbreaking New Single “Blue As Water”

If sad songs make you happy, you’ve come to the right place.

If not, you should still give this one a listen, but proceed with caution.

Best known for his chops on the fiddle, West Virginia native Philip Bowen has a growing catalog of original music that continues to showcase his deft songwriting capabilities as well, and his latest single is no exception. Opening up about a profoundly personal tragedy that has weighed on he and his family for years, Bowen’s new tune “Blue As Water” cuts deep, and he employed the talents of his fellow West Virginian and frequent collaborator Charles Wesley Godwin to contribute vocals.

While I could sit here and wax poetic about the devastation and grieving that can come with loss, Bowen himself provided some much more insightful commentary, setting the scene for his own song much better than I could.

“This is probably the most deeply personal song I’ve not only written, but have been a part of at all. My family and I went through a very, very tough loss a few years back. I like to say I’m a pretty positive person in general, but this had sent me in a tailspin for years. During that time, I began writing this song but never felt that I could finish it the way I wanted to. 

I eventually penned the last word and played it out for the first time last year. The response I got was extremely overwhelming – more people than I could count reached out one way or the other to let me know how it resonated with them. I don’t think this topic is touched on all too often in music, so I’m happy to deliver something that may help others heal as well.”

And Godwin, who has dealt with the same tragedy in his own life, provided some personal commentary as well.

“I’m one of those people that Philip is speaking of when he says this song resonated. I too have suffered this loss. My wife and I are in the process of trying to raise ourselves up out of our own tailspin. I expect it will be a lifelong process. The music, the songs, they help me and I imagine this will help other people. It was a pleasure to sing on this song with Philip.”

Without further ado, give “Blue As Water” a spin for yourself.

“Four months in and five months due
I could already see you
We had heard your heart beat several times
Faster than a bullet train
Working on a list of names
Pencil line dividing pink and blue
When your mama called me crying with the news”

Those lyrics will hit you where it hurts, and act as further proof is far more than just a prodigious fiddle talent, but an impressive lyricist, too.

That shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone familiar with his music, though. Especially with what he’s been releasing lately. Bowen has been on an absolute heater this year with a handful of singles under his belt, and while I don’t believe he has divulged any details regarding a forthcoming album yet, it’s pretty clear he is working on a project here. And it’s shaping up to be a special one.

Go ahead and give the other singles he’s released over the past few months a listen as well.

“Sure Could Use the Rain” ft. Josiah & the Bonnevilles

“Carolina Wren”

“Five Drugs”

“The Wheel”

Appalachia Forever Tour Dates:

7/24 – Topaz Farm – Portland, OR*
8/9 – North Star Lounge – Ann Arbor, MI!
8/14 – Open Chord – Knoxville, TN
8/15 – Basement East – Nashville, TN+
8/16 – Zanzabar – Louisville, KY+
8/18 – Motorco Music Hall – Durham, NC+
8/19 – The Evening Muse – Charlotte, NC+
8/21 – DC9 – Washington D.C.+
8/22 – Tucker C0unty Fair – Parson, WV
8/23 – The Original Pittsburgh Winery – Pittsburgh, PA+

*supporting Josiah & the Bonnevilles
!Early and Late Show
+w/ Julia DiGraziaThe post Philip Bowen Teams Up With Charles Wesley Godwin On Heartbreaking New Single “Blue As Water” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.