Hulvey - Perry Lane Lyrics
Lyrics
Uh, just went to the urgent care
Scared I had a heart attack, my cardiac was Jordan air
Just got out the urgent care
They said I'm perfect, it's anxiety that's killing me
I stop and pray
I just pulled up to Chick-Fil-A
They got the order wrong, was trippin' on 'em
I forgot to show 'em grace
Is there enough to allocate?
So I drove to Crumbl, caught some cookies, put six in a tray
They said, "I play your music every day"
Then it hit me that this carry weight
So anyways, went right back to Chick-fil-A
Asked for the manager, he came to me, smiled in my face
I gave the cookies and apologized for today
He said, "My brother, listen, it's okay
Congratulations on your baby"
Then it hit me that these people watchin' every single move I make
Like the way we dreamed way back in Perry Lane
Way back in Perry Lane
Just got to school at 7:38
Look at the locker, I don't see my name
I look again, maybe just in case
Went to the coach and asked him, "Aye, what happened full of hate"
Full of confliction when I seen his face
There go the man that took my dream away
Couple hours later in the day
I tried to focus on the class, but could not escape
Turned to my left, saw the assistant coach and told him
"Hey, why didn't I make the team?"
He then went on to explain:
"You had support from the head coach
But we ain't choose the same
So shift the blame"
It hit me and I felt the weight
Anyways, I just got a text from 'Crae
Said I need counseling to dig up why I feel this pain
I keep assuming everyone around me feel a way
I guess I'm scared to get cut, just like eleventh grade
My dad called me the other day
Told me he went back to the gym where I couldn't play
Coach said, "Congratulations, your son has truly made it"
Then it hit me that they watchin' every shot I take
Just like the way we dreamed way back in Perry Lane
Way back in Perry Lane
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Way back in Perry Lane
Way back in Perry Lane
Video
Hulvey - Perry Lane (Official Music Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Hulvey’s “Perry Lane,” released as part of the *Perry Lane Pack - EP* in November 2023, is a profound exploration of vulnerability, grace, and the weighty reality of being seen, all woven with threads of faith. The song opens with a raw depiction of anxiety, so intense that Hulvey believes he's having a heart attack, only to be diagnosed with anxiety. This initial struggle sets the stage for a narrative of navigating the complexities of life and public perception. The Chick-fil-A incident, where an initial frustration over an order is met with unexpected kindness and congratulations on his new baby, becomes a pivotal moment. It forces a realization: his actions, even seemingly small ones, carry weight because people are watching. This theme echoes the Apostle Paul's encouragement to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12: "Let no one despise your youth, but be a model to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." The weight of being a model is a burden that requires intentionality, and Hulvey’s apology and offering of cookies demonstrate a conscious effort to extend grace, mirroring Christ’s command in Matthew 5:41: "And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles."
The song then shifts to a deeply personal account of disappointment stemming from not making a sports team, a dream dashed in eleventh grade. The sting of this rejection is palpable as he recounts the interaction with coaches who explain the decision. This experience, laced with feelings of conflict and inadequacy, brings a fresh wave of anxiety, a fear of being "cut" again. This resonates with the scriptural understanding of facing adversity and finding strength. David, in Psalm 23, walks through the valley of the shadow of death, yet trusts in the Lord. Hulvey’s father’s call, sharing the same coach’s acknowledgment of his son’s success, brings a different perspective. The realization dawns that the same eyes that may have witnessed his past failure are now seeing his current triumphs. This duality highlights the journey of growth and the often-unseen support systems and divine providence at play, as described in Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
The recurring motif of “way back in Perry Lane” serves as a nostalgic anchor, a reminder of simpler dreams and perhaps a time before the pervasive awareness of being observed. Yet, the song doesn't end in despair. Instead, it’s a testament to the ongoing process of spiritual maturity. The text from ‘Crae’ suggesting counseling to understand his pain underscores a commitment to inner healing and self-awareness, a quest that aligns with the biblical call to examine oneself. As Solomon writes in Proverbs 20:27, "The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all the innermost parts of his being." Hulvey's journey through anxiety, public scrutiny, personal disappointment, and ultimately, a growing understanding of grace and divine perspective, offers an inspiring narrative of faith in action. It’s a powerful reminder that even amidst our deepest fears and past hurts, God is working, shaping us, and illuminating our path forward, just as He promised in Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."