A Florida man don’t need “Brandon” or Fauci around anyhow! At least that is the sentiment of the new campaign theme song for Florida governor Ron DeSantis.
Sweet Florida, penned by Johnny and Donnie Van Zant (both younger brothers of late Lynyrd Skynyrd lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant), praises Ron DeSantis’s leadership in handling COVID and fighting for freedom (or so they say) against carpetbaggers. The Van Zant brothers are starry-eyed about DeSantis being honest and “Red, White, and Blue”. They were able to make a finished product by recording and mixing the song with an iPhone.
The lyrics, enthused host Steve Doocy, were “highlighting the leadership of DeSantis and his efforts to keep Florida free.”
“The press don’t like him,” the lyrics went. “He stands up for what he believes. So don’t come down here and try to change things, we’re doing all right in the Sunshine State. Stay out of our business and leave our Gov alone.”
“Sweet Florida,” the song continued. “Our Governor is Red, White and Blue … shooting straight and telling us the truth.”
Here’s a sample lyric, set to the absolute laziest, buttrock melody you’ve heard since 1982:
Well we ain’t been locked down // we still have our freedom
We can still see our friends and family.
Oh our kids are in school // and we can go to church on Sunday
And it’s all because DeSantis knows how to lead.
And yes, Sweet Florida has the stamp of approval from the governor.
When the idea was first pitched, DeSantis thought they would just do a new take on an old song, perhaps revamping the Skynyrd chestnut “Sweet Home Alabama.”
“For them to do that, I think it’s really, really special. They did a great job,” DeSantis enthused. “It is a catchy song.”
However, not everyone is feeling the sweet vibe.
Presumably, Ron DeSantis was unable to get Michael McDonald’s permission to use the hit song Sweet Freedom.