Andy Penkow
I first met Andy at a songwriters retreat in 2019 in Kinglake, Victoria. It was hosted by David and Merelyn Carter (of Carter & Carter), who are Golden Guitar artists in their own right.
One night, I was awkwardly carrying my guitar, water and printed papers with lyrics down the hallway as I headed back to my room. Being deaf, I didn’t hear the paper fall from my arms.
Andy did and saw that they were my rough draft lyrics from that years 50/90 songwriting challenge. Realising what they were, he chased me and tapped me on the shoulder; and asked if he could review them that night privately in his room.
The next morning, he handed the papers back and expressed interest in five of the draft lyrics, much to my shock. He asked me to email them to him as he had further mentoring sessions with David and Merelyn that week. I did.
Quite a bit of time went by and Andy reached out, stating that he was ready to work with me on Fireflies. We did a few video chats. I demonstrated a melody or two and he changed words and lines to rebuild the song in the way that suited him as an artist.
More time went by and he reached out again. By then, I had pretty much forgotten about our song, as I was working on new projects with other songwriters. Therefore I was ecstatic when he said he was releasing Fireflies as part of his third album pre-release (Love, Lies and Dirty Dishes), which debuted at #3 on the ARIA Australian Country Albums chart.
We’re both very proud of our first co-write and can’t wait to share new songs with you to enjoy in the future.
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6r9x7nJxP8
BANDCAMP: https://andypenkow.bandcamp.com/track/fireflies
TRIPLE J UNEARTHED: https://www.abc.net.au/triplejunearthed/artist/andy-penkow/
WISHING FOR FIREFLIES
(C) Christine M Kerr and Andy Penkow
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2022
RELEASE DATE: 8 July 2022
#1 for 3 weeks - Country Songs Top 40 Campfire Publishing (Australia) - in the charts for 11 weeks
#1 for 1 week - Tasmanian & OZ CMR Top 40 Country Chart (Australia) - in the charts for 11 weeks
#1 for 3 weeks - Country Radio Charts Top 40 - Tracey and the Big D (Australia) - in the charts for 11 weeks
#1 for 1 week - Nashville Indie Country Radio Charts - Top 40 (USA) - in the charts for 31 weeks
V
I can’t undo what I did
I can only say I’m sorry
Wanna to beg for forgiveness, but I
I don’t blame you for moving on
I think you’re still angry
Would have done the same myself
What I was thinking?
Or maybe I did, I’m too headstrong
Chorus
I’m wishing for Fireflies
To remember happier times
Where everything was simple and free
Wishing that you still loved me
V
But Baby we had something good
I know I screwed it up
Ruined something beautiful
Will you let me start all over Again
If I right my wrongs
Would you let me back in?
If you want me to go,
Say the word I’ll take it on the chin
Chorus
I’m wishing for Fireflies
To remember happier times
Where everything was simple and free
Wishing that you still loved me
Bridge
What I’d give for a new tomorrow
My Life these days is far too hollow
Chorus
(QUIET)
I’m wishing for Fireflies
To remember happier times
(BUILD)
Where everything was simple and free
Wishing that you still loved me
Wishing that you still loved me
(SPOKEN)
I’m wishing for Fireflies …
credits
Songwriters: Christine M Kerr & Andy Penkow.
Producer: Rod Motbey.
PERMISSION TO USE IMAGES OBTAINED BY ARTIST ON 2 Nov 2023