“Never Back Down” serves as the official theme for the Florida Governor’s bid for the White House
Florida governor Ron DeSantis has enlisted the voice of Grammy Award-winning country artist Billy Dean for his official 2024 presidential campaign theme song. The tune, “Never Back Down,” makes its debut in a campaign promo video posted to DeSantis’ YouTube channel. DeSantis plans to play the song at all upcoming campaign events.
“I’m a Florida native and resident who has lived the American Dream,” explains Dean. “My dad served in World War II and lost two of his brothers to the cause. They sacrificed their dreams so I could live mine. My dad did not want me to serve the country with guns and bullets but I can serve with my pen, paper and guitar. Ron DeSantis is not just Florida’s governor, he is America’s governor, and he inspired me to write and record a song as a message to all those who put power and party above country. You won’t get away with it without a fight. I owe it to our veterans to ‘Never Back Down!'”
Dean co-wrote the song with fellow Floridians Hugh and Cody VanLandingham.
“Never Back Down” will be available for streaming and download this Friday.
Dean represented a deeper, more introspective way of making country music when he emerged with the chart-topping country and successful AC hits “Only Here For A Little While” and ACM Song of the Year, “Somewhere In My Broken Heart.” Tapping into the space between Merle Haggard and James Taylor, the reluctant songwriter from Quincy, Florida spoke for the people who work with their hands, think with their hearts and live in the present moment. He and 16-time Grammy winner Alison Krauss took that overlapping legacy forward with Kenny Rogers’ on the legend’s “Buy Me A Rose,” his first No. 1 in over a dozen years. That ability to transcend genres has served Dean across three record deals, multiple hits, and what may be his most successful chapter: embarking on a trop-rock journey that captures all the feels of empty-nesters spreading their wings and embracing all that life has to offer.
