If you grew up in the South, Southern rock was a mainstay. Kids were driving around, windows down, speakers blasting Lynyrd Skynyrd and 38 Special songs like “Freebird,” “Hold On Loosely,” and “Sweet Home Alabama.”
Florida boys, the Van Zants (Ronnie, Johnny, and Donnie) created some of the best lyrics, vocals, and music of the 70’s and 80’s, songs you will still hear covered in bars and honky-tonks across the state and across the South.
So it was with great interest that I clicked on the Fox News’ article entitled, “‘Sweet Florida’: Van Zant brothers dedicate new song to Gov. Ron DeSantis.”
It’s more of a campaign song than a dedication, but it’s wonderful if you like Southern rock (and DeSantis).
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is being rewarded for his leadership through an exclusive song dedication by music legends the Van Zant brothers.”Sweet Florida” highlights DeSantis’ efforts to keep Florida free, written by Johnny Van Zant, lead vocalist of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and his brother Donnie Van Zant of 38 Special.”We got to thank Governor DeSantis for standing and believing for what he believes…he’s been a great governor for us,” Johnny told “Fox & Friends” Friday.The Van Zant brothers were born in Jacksonville and emphasized that DeSantis stands for everything that they believe in.The lyrics by Johnny and Donnie Van Zant reflect their perspectives of the Florida governor as they show their utmost support for DeSantis.”He stands up for what he believes. So don’t come down here trying to change things we’re doing all right in the Sunshine State. Stay out of our business. Leave our governor alone. Down in sweet, sweet Florida our governor is red, white and blue…he’s shooting us straight, telling us the truth.”
Apparently, DeSantis suggested to the Van Zant brothers that he would love to hear something like “Sweet Home Alabama” about Florida.
Fox News continues:
“We really wrote it…in a couple of hours, and we recorded it on an iPhone and sent it to the governor,” Van Zant explained. “We’ve never done that before…and we took a chance.”DeSantis suggested a song about his state modeled on the Lynyrd Skynyrd hit “Sweet Home Alabama.”The Van Zant brothers ran with that idea and created “Sweet Florida,” to thank DeSantis for his leadership in the Sunshine State.. . . .”Sweet Florida” is available on Spotify, Apple Music and the music video is posted on sweetfloridasong.com.
Here’s the video:
One of my favorite lyrics: “You can take it to the bank, he don’t care what Brandon thinks at the White House.”
DeSantis tweeted:
“Down in Sweet Florida” lyrics (via Florida’s Conservative Voice):
The press don’t like him
But he sure does get my business
He stands up for what he believes
So don’t come down here trying to change things
We’re doing alright
In the Sunshine State
Stay out of our business
Leave our gov alone
Down in Sweet Florida
Our governor is red, white, and blue
Down in Sweet Florida
He’s shootin’ us straight and telling us the truth
You can take it to the bank
He don’t care what Brandon thinks at the White House
Yeah, he’s fighting for the right to keep our state free
Well, he’s taken on the swamp and he’s callin’ out Doctor Fauci
He’s the only one fighting for you and me
Down in Sweet Florida
Our governor, he’s red, white, and blue
Down in Sweet Florida
He’s shootin’ us straight and telling us the truth
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
Down in Sweet Florida
Our governor, he’s red, white, and blue
Down in Sweet Florida
He’s shootin’ us straight and telling us the truth
Down in Sweet, Sweet, Sweet Florida
Our governor, he’s red, white, and blue
Down in Sweet Florida
He’s shootin’ us straight and telling us the truth
Down in Sweet Florida
He’s kicking it up
Standing them down in Florida
He’s a military man
With the courage to withstand them all
Yeah, we’re free down in Florida
Our governor is red, white, and blue
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