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

Report on Philip Bowen’s Single “Blue As Water” and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

Musician Philip Bowen has released a new single, “Blue As Water,” featuring a vocal contribution from Charles Wesley Godwin. The composition addresses the profound personal tragedy of miscarriage, a theme that resonates with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report analyzes the song’s thematic content, its contribution to social well-being, and its alignment with global development objectives, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Thematic Analysis and SDG Contribution

Addressing Mental Health and Well-being (SDG 3)

The single “Blue As Water” directly confronts the grief and emotional trauma associated with miscarriage. This artistic expression serves as a vital tool for promoting mental health and well-being, a core target of SDG 3. By sharing his personal experience, Bowen initiates a public dialogue on a topic often shrouded in silence, thereby contributing to the destigmatization of grief and loss.

• Promoting Mental Health (Target 3.4): The song provides a medium for individuals who have experienced similar loss to process their grief. Bowen stated the song was written after a “very, very tough loss” sent him into a “tailspin for years,” and he hopes it may “help others heal as well.” Collaborator Charles Wesley Godwin echoed this, noting, “My wife and I are in the process of trying to raise ourselves up out of our own tailspin… The music, the songs, they help me.”
• Fostering Dialogue: The overwhelming response from the public, as noted by Bowen, indicates a societal need for open conversations about such losses. This aligns with creating supportive communities that bolster collective well-being.
• Supporting Reproductive Health Awareness: While focusing on the emotional aftermath, the song inherently raises awareness of challenges related to reproductive health, an important facet of SDG 3.

Fostering Inclusive and Peaceful Societies (SDG 10 & SDG 16)

Art that explores universal human experiences like grief can foster empathy and understanding, which are foundational to building peaceful and inclusive societies (SDG 16). The collaboration between two artists from West Virginia also highlights regional culture, contributing to the principles of reducing inequalities (SDG 10) by providing a platform for voices from Appalachia.

• Cultural Representation: The project showcases the artistic and lyrical capabilities of artists from a specific cultural region, promoting diverse representation in the music industry.
• Building Social Cohesion: By creating a shared cultural artifact around a difficult human experience, the artists foster a sense of community and mutual understanding, strengthening the social fabric.

Artistic Collaboration and Broader Portfolio

Collaboration with Charles Wesley Godwin

The inclusion of Charles Wesley Godwin, who shares a personal connection to the song’s subject matter, enhances its authenticity and impact. This collaboration exemplifies a supportive partnership that reinforces the song’s message of shared experience and healing, aligning with the community-focused aspects of SDG 3.

Recent Discography

The release of “Blue As Water” is part of a series of recent singles from Philip Bowen, indicating a period of significant creative output. His growing catalog demonstrates a commitment to lyrical depth and musical craftsmanship. Other recent releases include:

• “Sure Could Use the Rain” ft. Josiah & the Bonnevilles
• “Carolina Wren”
• “Five Drugs”
• “The Wheel”

Community Engagement and Tour Schedule

Appalachia Forever Tour

To support his recent work, Philip Bowen has scheduled a series of live performances. These events provide an opportunity for direct community engagement, allowing audiences to experience the music’s emotional resonance in a collective setting, which further supports the goal of fostering well-being and social connection.

1. 7/24 – Topaz Farm – Portland, OR
2. 8/9 – North Star Lounge – Ann Arbor, MI
3. 8/14 – Open Chord – Knoxville, TN
4. 8/15 – Basement East – Nashville, TN
5. 8/16 – Zanzabar – Louisville, KY
6. 8/18 – Motorco Music Hall – Durham, NC
7. 8/19 – The Evening Muse – Charlotte, NC
8. 8/21 – DC9 – Washington D.C.
9. 8/22 – Tucker County Fair – Parson, WV
10. 8/23 – The Original Pittsburgh Winery – Pittsburgh, PA

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The primary Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) addressed in the article is:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Explanation: The article centers on the song “Blue As Water,” which deals with the personal tragedy of a miscarriage or stillbirth. This directly relates to health outcomes, specifically perinatal health. Furthermore, the article extensively discusses the profound and lasting mental health impact of this loss on the artists and their families. Philip Bowen describes being sent “in a tailspin for years,” and Charles Wesley Godwin speaks of trying to “raise ourselves up out of our own tailspin.” The song’s stated purpose is to “help others heal,” which aligns with the goal of promoting mental health and well-being.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the focus on perinatal loss and mental health, the following specific targets under SDG 3 are relevant:

1. Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.
   
   Explanation: Although this target officially focuses on neonatal (first 28 days) and under-5 mortality, the issue of stillbirth, as described in the song, is intrinsically linked to this goal. The lyrics, “Four months in and five months due… When your mama called me crying with the news,” describe a late-term miscarriage or stillbirth. Preventing such losses is a critical component of ensuring child and maternal health, which is the broader aim of this target.
2. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   
   Explanation: The article strongly emphasizes the mental health dimension of the tragedy. Bowen’s statement that the loss “had sent me in a tailspin for years” and Godwin’s admission that “My wife and I are in the process of trying to raise ourselves up out of our own tailspin” highlight the severe and long-term psychological distress associated with such an event. The song itself is presented as a tool for healing and promoting well-being, with Bowen hoping it will “help others heal as well.” This directly connects to the promotion of mental health.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official statistical indicators, but it implies the relevance of certain types of measurement through its narrative:

• Implied Indicator for Target 3.2: Stillbirth Rate.
  
  Explanation: The entire premise of the song “Blue As Water” is an instance of stillbirth or late-term miscarriage. The lyrics “Four months in and five months due” and “We had heard your heart beat several times” provide a narrative account of an event that is measured statistically by the stillbirth rate (the number of babies born with no signs of life per 1,000 total births). The article’s focus on this specific tragedy implies the importance of tracking and reducing such occurrences.
• Implied Indicator for Target 3.4: Prevalence of mental health conditions and access to support for grief and trauma.
  
  Explanation: The article implies the need for this indicator by describing the profound mental health consequences of perinatal loss. The artists’ comments on being in a “tailspin” and the song’s role as a healing tool suggest a widespread need for support that is not always met. Bowen notes, “I don’t think this topic is touched on all too often in music,” implying a societal silence around the issue and a lack of open support systems. Measuring the availability and effectiveness of mental health resources for grieving parents would be a way to track progress toward this target.

4. Summary Table of Findings

Source: whiskeyriff.com