[Verse 1] Nineteen eighty-four, I got the call A semi-truck that transforms, ten feet tall They said, "Peter, you're our Prime, you're the leader of them all" But how do you voice a hero when the stakes are life and protocol? I'm staring at the script, every line's a weight Do I go big, go loud, do I dominate? Hollywood wants thunder, wants a battle cry But something in my gut says that ain't right [Pre-Chorus] Then I called my brother Larry, Marine Corps through and through Said, "I got this role, but I don't know what to do" He said, "Listen close, little brother, let me tell you what is true" [Chorus] "If you're gonna be a hero, be a real hero Don't be Hollywood with all the yelling and screaming Be strong enough to be gentle" Those words hit my chest, rearranged my soul A warrior's wisdom, worth more than gold If you're gonna be a hero, be a real hero Strong enough to be gentle [Verse 2] I walked into that booth with Larry in my mind Left the bravado at the door, found a different kind Of power—deep and steady, like a father's hand Authority that listens, strength that understands Not a soldier barking orders at his infantry But a leader who believes in who they're meant to be Every word I spoke, I felt my brother there A Marine who knew that real courage is to care [Pre-Chorus] They rolled the tape, I dropped my voice low Let conviction do the work, let the quiet show That heroes don't need volume when their purpose flows [Chorus] "If you're gonna be a hero, be a real hero Don't be Hollywood with all the yelling and screaming Be strong enough to be gentle" Those words hit my chest, rearranged my soul A warrior's wisdom, worth more than gold If you're gonna be a hero, be a real hero Strong enough to be gentle [Bridge] Now decades later, generations rise Kids who heard that voice and recognized That kindness isn't weakness, that the brave protect That a hero's greatest weapon is respect Larry, you were right—you gave me the key You turned a cartoon robot into legacy One sentence from a soldier changed the game And every time they hear "Autobots, roll out!" they hear your name [Chorus] If you're gonna be a hero, be a real hero Don't be Hollywood with all the yelling and screaming Be strong enough to be gentle Those words hit my chest, rearranged my soul A warrior's wisdom, worth more than gold If you're gonna be a hero, be a real hero Strong enough to be gentle [Outro] So here's to Larry Cullen, and the truth he passed along That the strongest voice I ever found was calm Peter became Prime, but Larry made him whole A real hero's strong enough Strong enough to be gentle