Country Singer Billy Dean Crafts Presidential Campaign Theme Song for Ron DeSantis

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has called on country singer/songwriter and “Only Here for a Little While’ hitmaker Billy Dean to craft the theme song for DeSantis’ 2024 presidential campaign.

Dean co-wrote the theme song, titled “Never Back Down,” with fellow Florida natives Hugh and Cody VanLandingham. DeSantis plans to play the song at all upcoming campaign events.

“I’m a Florida native and resident who has lived the American Dream,” Dean said in a statement. “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.”

In addition to his own top five Hot Country Songs hits including “Only Here for a Little While,” “Somewhere in My Broken Heart” and “If There Hadn’t Been You,” Dean was a featured vocalist alongside Alison Krauss on Kenny Rogers‘ 2000 hit “Buy Me a Rose,” which earned a CMA Awards nomination for single of the year. In 1992, Dean was nominated for the Country Music Association’s Horizon Award. Two years later, he was part of the team that won the CMA album of the year honor for Common Thread: Songs of the Eagles (Dean performed and co-produced a version of “Saturday Night” for the album).

On Wednesday evening, DeSantis faced off against former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley during a one-on-one CNN debate in Des Moines, Iowa, just days ahead of the Iowa caucuses.