William Devaughn - Be Thankful

[louana222]

Classic!!!! Player Hustler Shit!!!! Chuuch!!!!

[Alfredosaved]

remind me of the Old neighborhood in Brooklyn brother like me was 13 years old drinking Swiss up and trying to fit in , the only Puerto Rican in the hood, Brownsville, sarotoga bet Riverdale and Livonia.

wow Memories RIP BUCKY

[therealraybaby]

#89(Tie)

[nnebeats]

i listen this only with my wife.......Marijane

[Itzmeagain33]

This song fits perfect with my Cadillac El Dorado Biarritz.

[AwesomeCoasters]

Thumbs up to my comment if you prefer the original version (this)

or down if you prefer Massive Attack's remake.

[DJGort]

Fuckin' smooth, matey! Well done.

[AbedeGlasu]

Vocal similarities with Curtis Mayfield are astonishing.

[styleofturkey16]

this song in a chevy impala 64.. and cruisin down the streets

[murphy456]

Love the Picture

[botvinnik64]

song fuks me up and im fukt up a lot

[terawattz]

i do like the instumental to this,check my latest vid for the version,i have this tune on 7

[PaulGreen11]

Jesus should sing this song in the ghetto version of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Ron O'neil as Jesus

Grady from Sanford & Son as John the Baptist

Oprah's friend Gail as Mary the Mother of God

RuPaul as Mary Magdelen

Artis Gilmore as Judas

and introducing Bootsy Collins as the Devil.

[efrenquinones]

for all of you people that think material things are what you need. happyness is the enjoyment of having and thankful for what you got

[Chazrobodean1]

Sweet Jesus, party on !

[GratefulVince]

7 people need to be burned at the stake. Their crime...bad taste!

[shawmk23]

@GratefulVince I'd say that 7 people don't have a car at all.

[daysofwax]

william devaughn was often mistaken for curtis mayfield. I produced all the devaughn songs until the mid 80`s about 23 songs in all. frank fioravanti or co-produced or wrote.

[daysofwax]

did not win grammy but should have. produce by frank fioravanti and his sidekicks a sound gems fioravanti production

[ki2poetry]

Smooth Grooving. Remind you of back in the day when people used to sit in park in the backseat of the car and make out. Lol

[bobbyodawg]

Brings back good High School memories. Thanks for posting.

[artist40hou]

"Make Yours A Happy Home" is another one, first released on Claudine soundtrack in 74, then re-released in 76 and got mad airplay in my neck of the woods when my little brother was born. Weird thing is it didn't chart well in 76 but got a whole lot airplay stayed on the request list for a couple of years after. Most of its acclaim came from being on the movie soundtrack. We talking and average of 4 to 5 yr active lifespan for songs from conception to last time on radio playlists. Amazing!

[EFRENQUINONES14]

dinning in back with a sun roof top digging the scene with a gangster lean ahhhh cool cool song remember "JUST BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU GOT"

[jcabm1]

I'm just glad there are brothers on here older than me spelling it out. Digging in the crates, laying out the facts. Thanks.

[BOSSDIZ]

CHECK OUT MY MUSIC KING OF CALI WESTSIDE BIG BOSS PLAYER

[TigerMike1313]

7 people do not drive a cadillac with a diamond in the back.

[keoni158]

that 36M sample

[Helivz]

Hmmm.... I could have sworn, didn't this song receive air play in late 1972? On the internet, it says this became a hit in 1974, but I'm sure I heard this tune two years prior. Feedback anyone? I love the song.

[artist40hou]

@Helivz Could have been an unofficial release in 72 but I remember it charting and getting airplay in 74 around the same time kung fu fighting was out. Songs stayed on the charts and stayed on radio play a lot longer than today. He recorded the song several times in the seventies and early eighties, the way they do remixes today.

[Helivz]

@artist40hou Yes, I remember "Kung Fu" fighting by Carl Douglas. 1974 - 75 school year had lots of kool tunes. "Kung Fu " fighting. If only they moved that fast, that accurate, and landed with "HARD HITS / Kicks" in the Octagon, more strikers would kick butt on grapplers.. just a comment a tad bit off the subject.

[artist40hou]

@Helivz Oh, i did some research we are both right, he wrote "A Cadillac Don't Come Easy" in 72, but recorded it as "Be Thankful For What you've Got" it was underground for two years, like they do mix cd's today so it probably played locally on stations that managed to get it unofficially released, then he took the song to a major production company in 74, and re-recorded it with MFSB band members in Philly and it was officially released and charted in the spring of 74 and went platinum.

[Helivz]

@artist40hou Happy New Year artist-40hou. I knew I heard that nice tune, many a times in November / December of 1972. I wonder why they do this; a tune is released, but it charts several years later? It gives people the impression that.... well, you know what I'm saying. There have been other songs in decades gone by, that I heard, but then it charts months or perhaps, years later. "Be Thankful" Brings memories of sixth grage Elementary School, with cool winter / snowfall. : )

[blacksultan85]

PURE GHETTO SOUL PIMP MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!

[Stormqi]

@blacksultan85 ..it's more than that..it contrasts that you don't have to pimp and deal to be happy..not all of us do you know..

[Stormqi]

@blacksultan85..actually it's pure street soul music...we're not all ghetto..we don't all think pimp is a term of endearment..and the point of the song is you don't have to be a pimp or a drug dealer to be happy.."you can still stand tall"...guess you had to be there...

[blacksultan85]

@Stormqi blah blah blah nigga!!!!!!!

[manuelr55]

6 people aren't thankful

[SuperRickyv]

this ish right here is gangster Oyea!!

[BeSpiritfilled]

thanks for posting this, you're great!

[amichaux22]

@BeSpiritfilled A TRUE BALLROOM SONG

[Mr42995]

rest in peace mr lazy headhunters gang

[donierja]

is he a father of Raheem DeVaughn?

[jairzinho1974]

Massive attack does a cover of this song and is awesome too...

[DaOrigTruthSeeker]

Everyday i get up out of bed wraped in my right state of mind i give thanks to my creator for allowing me to breathe in his creation because i remember what is written in ACTS 17:28...this song brings that scripture to me everytime.

[Helivz]

@DaOrigTruthSeeker Amen to that!

[bladebrown2002]

5 people not thankful for anything!!

[delmartinis]

Always and especially today!

[clutterbells]

Lovely.

[solesirching73]

Go to Wiki, type in "Be Thankful For What You Got," and it explains everything

[Mrbigb1007]

the smoothest song ever made



[SpineInABap]

@Mrbigb1007

Agreed, a few come close but not many...

[patz611]

I too am confused, if the YouTube video title referanced below is not Curtis then who is it and on what album does it exist. The DeVaughn version seem to differ

Curtis Mayfield - Diamond in the Back

[WickedTornado]

All of us on our high school football team in Tucson, Az. used to sing this on all the away games in '72 after we'd spank all the opposing teams....that ol' bus was filled with mainly white boys and a coulple'a brothas, but at least we gave this song our most soulful effort. Then get back, get showered and dressed...then smoke weed like it was our last nite on Earth, climb in our cars and cruise around... and sing this song again. God....where have all my buds gone?

[feelmee12]

@WickedTornado i go to slope...and you probably whoop on our asses. lol

[RIPRICKJAMES]

@WickedTornado you must been real high in 72 cause the song did'nt come out till 74....

[WickedTornado]

@RIPRICKJAMES Not as high as your boy Rick James, but plenty high. I already admitted that, lol. Poor Rick took it to another level.

[RIPRICKJAMES]

@WickedTornado  What do you think his song MaryJane was about?

[Helivz]

@RIPRICKJAMES I never was / got high in 1972, and I remember this song receiving airplay that year November / December 1972. BUT it charted two years later in 1974.

Funny how that is.

[icecreamface]

I love this tune, totally groovy & soothing.

[momoashley]

Be Thankful for What You Got" is a soul song written and first performed by William DeVaughn.

[Forgemno]

His last name is why my brother has his first name

[jnolanisnot]

@Forgemno Haha I wonder what your parents were listening to in the bed room

[Shaymeonyoo]

is that why all you black people have crazy names these days?

[tswain92]

@Shaymeonyoo Apple and Moon Unit are not at all crazy are they?

[sweetangel2002u]

So righteous! 

[osap2010]

this is the origianl and it speaks volumes to the people of today

[MoosicandCritters]

@osap2010 I completely agree!

[talibanyAK47]

William DE..Vaughn not Curtis

[Twinkles5927]

I am confused! Did William DeVaughn And Curtis Mayfield record this song? Who wrote it? Why is "Diamond in the back" on Curtis's album? Somebody who really knows clear this up! Not what you think, but what you know! Thanks!

Love the song regardless but Damn he sounds just like Curtis!!

[daysofwax]

frank fioavanti and sidekicks produced this classic

[memyselfandi2311]

what a nice tune. i'm glad guys like lupe sampled it in their songs so that i know it now!

[llovka]

teardrop... ;)..."you can still stand tall"

[truth1disciple]

this song is so, so thought provoking, provocative and should be the theme for the troubles many are going "through" today. I can say this for myself that the last two years have been mind boggling, be so mentally, physically and SPIRITUALLY uplifting for me and my family. We lost a lot of material "stuff" but we grew stronger by realizing money, stuff, and far weather people come and go, but REAL LOVE endures, perseveres, and overcomes all. People stay strong and examine what's important n life

[WickedTornado]

@truth1disciple Well, well said, sir. I'm guessing you've still got a lot of life ahead of you. Congratulate yourself and the ones around you who learned this painful lesson well....you've miles ahead of most people who go thru it and don't learn. Now...if you're still into it, hike up your sleeves and go make that money back if you want it. It'll probably come easier than before. God Bless joel in tucson

[89Ef9civic]

La Mission. <3 Good movie I've seen.

[lhdollbaby]

this is the original! and the best not taking anyting from curtis(who by the way did not record this song he just did the cover sometimes!)

[TekEnchAmun]

never be forgotten

[TheKingsMalia]

this is the only true recording that is on youtube i have found curtis was a man who did not need to take credit for work he did not do.

[big89alex]

happy thanksgiving from canada

[GETsomeDRINKS]

@big89alex what.

[angelo062367]

old school jams that still rock your soul brothers and sisters

[gtrscience1]

Curtis worked along with William ,but he did not record this song,however he did cover this tune in certain occasions according to what I was told.

[tenaj59]

love this song.. it may not be something tangible you want...note WANT, is the key word, you may not have certain things, but truly, you can still stand tall.

[ElChiNo11o11]

dont get any more gangsta than this right here... stop beeinn so ungreatphul n realize how truelie blessed we are. mutha phuck 4 selphish assholes...oldiez 101 with a gangsta lean

[13heavymetal]

I hate how this always gets misattributed to Curtis Mayfield. He NEVER performed this song.

[aceeeed]

I really like the Massive Attack cover of this song. Its very close to this, but sounds a little more contemporary, and I think Shara Nelson's voice suits the song a bit better.

[Silks]

@aceeeed I was going to post the same thing. I feel the song is that much better with her vocal. One of those few times a cover perhaps outshines the original.

[SOMUCHCHOCOLATE]

I love both versions Curtis and William

[BulletproofGOAT]

This ish is thy ish

[blac2thafuture]

i got a sunroof top and the gangsta lean , and im so thankful that im still diggin the scene in 2011

[biggchac]

MY 2ND FAVORITE SONG OF AAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLL TIIIIIIMMMMMEE!!!!!!!!!!!! .....JUS BE THAAAANKFUUULL!!!!!!

[azkllms]

I definitely thought that this was Curtis Mayfield. I am glad that I've discovered William DeVaughn because he deserves every bit of praise for this brilliant song.

[rawntweety]

sumthin to lay da seat bak an slow ride an relax!

[omizfoshiz]

this makes me want to turn my caprice into a lowrider

[000777999kp]

...i'm thankful...:)

[creektrouble]

Nothing BETTER !!!

[jncbankston]

i prefer the sped-up version...the same version that can be seen on the movie 'Be Cool' when the Rock is driving his big pimping 'Lac down the ave...

[ladyraven30]

Does it really get any smoother than this?

[TheLAKERSareGodsTeam]

Outstanding audio! Great quality considering it's Youtube.

[pianissimo101]

4 people fall over whenever attempting a gangster lean.

[TheWorldMovesWithYou]

Please give Mr. Curtis Mayfield his proper credit and check out the real song.

[xlmidi]

@TheWorldMovesWithYou This is William Devaughn's song. He wrote and performed the song. Many people think its Curtis Mayfield because they sound similar.

[TheWorldMovesWithYou]

@xlmidi You mean he covered the song. It's the same song just slightly rearranged.

[kikke95]

soulja boy is better

[Herbalexrecords]

@kikke95 you trippin homie

[jcameron328]

If you dislike this song, kill yourself, cuz you are soulless.

[mrjoshjones1]

The 2nd most famous brother at the Postal Service!!

(Freddie Gorman (Mr Postman) the 1st!)

Anyone know how to reach Mr DeVaughn for a show?

(619) 739-1166

[eltucanaso101]

only one word can describe this song/vibe: "GROOVY"

[foxijim]

1 of the classics oh yeah, wont ever fade .

[mrmccoy7]

this one of the best song ive ever heard in my life.. it remind me of my upbringin. lol .. that why in thankful for everything.. n i drive some hot olskool shit wt white walls.. keepin it classic.. peace n luv ppl

be thankful for wht u GOT

[vibronicz]

THIS IS CURTIS MAYFIELD

[kgrimes2nd]

@vibronicz Not Curtis Mayfield, although you are not alone in thinking so. You wouldn't believe how many people think Curtis Mayfield did this song, and "Cause I Love You" by Lenny Williams...

[vibronicz]

@kgrimes2nd yeah its weird he sounds just like him

[navarez211]

who are the 4 dumf**ks who dislike?? maybe cuz they unthankful >:\

[THICKFIYAH]

LOVE IT MAN

[MrArtnjazz]

Diamond in the back, sunroof top, digging the scene with the gangsta lean ...what a great soul song..love it

[wurltee]

I always thought this song was called "Diamond In The Back". LOL!

[jakelvis100]

stone cold groove!!

[AKg0Lden]

FREE REPLAY BUTTON======> 0:00

[UglyYeller]

@AKg0Lden Free eh? FUCK YOU

[AKg0Lden]

 3 people are white kids who expect evrything :P

[thetickfarm160]

@AKg0Lden This white guy thinks good music is good music and this is good music!

[LIsMRMOTOWN]

For the full original full-length album track , please see the mislabeled "Curtis Mayfield - Diamond in the Back." Though Curtis Mayfield discovered him and he did kind of sound like Curtis, it features 100% William DeVaughn (with MFSB's Vince Montana at the end). Unfortunately, shortly after this great album, William, like the only 2 living original Intruders, retired from show business to be a full-time Jehovah Witness. (Strange, George Benson and Larry Graham perform!)

[stimpysue]

now this is an old school player.this is when riding in your duce and a quarter with your lean on pimpin. Im 50 white and i remember and miss those days thats when nukas were real nukas

[TrishBell1]

love, love, love this groove....the perfect summer song....

[emmettk]

Somebody posted this song under the name of "Diamond in the Back" and incorrectly credited the song to Curtis Mayfield. The shame of it is that the poster refuses to correct his error or even allow someone to correct it for him.>>>>>> When the song came out, everyone thought it was Curtis because Devaughn's voice does sound like him on this.

[jspiker1974]

Behold the badness.

[dimuccio2]

you ever here this saying ---WHEN MUSIC WAS MUSIC..

[lisa070901]

thank you for playing the original form of this song

[snoop12318]

Who the fuck dontlike dis??Great breh'

[destroybabylon1]

check out Jakie Mittoo's version....reggae version so sweet

[ninjaguy3]

@destroybabylon1 thanks, its good

[cariemchugh]

So groovy ... smooth

[Ronchell3y]

Be thankful for what you've got....I had to remind myself today

[cintenta]

I will never grow tired of this... The smoothest of 70s funk.

[shmuli9]

I used to have this record when I was a kid... It's good to know I wasn't hearing the lyrics wrong... (I always thought they said "gangsta whitewalls" and "gangsta lean", though neithermade much sense to me at the time...)

[cbaldwinjr]

@shmuli9

He did say gangsta whitewalls and gangsta lean...

[shmuli9]

@cbaldwinjr Yes, I know, but at the time, I had NO clue what he might have been talking about. (I still don't EXACTLY know what he meant, but I can sort of extrapolate the meaning.)

[Natinat]

Omar and the Queen Badu made a wonderful cover of that song!!!

!Nat!

[jaktrainor]

I guess 3 people couldn't dig the scene... We groovin, y'all hate'n!

[dswrain]

how do i put this on permanent repeat?

[HowHighFilms]

Dis OldSchool Tune Makes me wanna Cry

[NecKClippA]

amazing music right here

[cbg626]

this a bad jam to all you that dont knw wassup take a listen por vida oldies!!!!!

[cbg626]

this a bad jam to all you that dont knw wassup take a listen por vida oldies!!!!!

[YourTrueKing13]

With a gangsta lean.

[JWP6948]

@Idonhawk you are a genuine genuis! Haha I love that idea!! It would be so awesome if they had done that

[stevenfurtado31]

Looks like someone mistakenly hit the thumb down button.

[christianontiveros93]

Nice cruising song. i love it

[TeeDeezy360]

it dont matter what race you are were all brothaz nd sisitaz ridin for one cause be thankful for everthing god gave you all nd working hard for the money to provide to your family nd keepin your head up no matter what weather of the season...

[lovell123456789]

i love CADDYS!!! THATS ALL I DRIVE!!!

[marvinaz09]

ice cube sampled this!!

[marvinaz09]

im sure someone sampled this! who is it??

[kariebeez]

"You may not haaave a car at all," at one time I thought that verse was hilarious but maturity (if we're smart) teaches that a Cadillac or any vehicle does not make the man or woman. And please be thankful for what you've got. "Let it be so."

[lukefenderrhodes]

@kariebeez i got a cavilear and in my head im driving a caddilac

[kariebeez]

@lukefenderrhodes nothing wrong with that and that's all it takes. At least you're not riding shoe leather express lol.

[djexplain]

The original. The best.

[rad199]

They sure don't make 'em like this anymore.

[ldonhawk]

I am thankful for what I got! Although, I DO drive a great big Cadillac (1995 Sedan DeVille). Cadillac Motors should give William DeVaughn his own car line in deference to this classic hit -- call the car the Sedan DeVaughn! 

[drippad]

@ldonhawk i like that! !!!!!

[jazzyow]

biiiim

[brandonandrewdad]

here's a clue, for all you young folks out there who talk about pimpin. this is it!

[6076116]

Love this waterpark scene in the movie "Bounce." Have always loved this song.

[DaveWollenberg]

Billboard's #60 song of '74. William hit #1 soul, #4 pop. He needs to denounce the Jehovah's Witnesses, 'cause they're a false religion, a cult. Google that. It's true! God bless!

[SHOGUNX8]

when i get my first car a cadilac Eldorado, im gona blast the shit outa this song the first day i drive it

[MoosicandCritters]

Absolutely FABULOUS!!!

[MrPotionLove]

De Vaughn so casual its magic

[nyke271]

SHO-NUFF......BE THANKFUL....

[AngusYoung48]

Nobody today sends this kinda message.

Morale oh Morale, where art thou?

[mrjoshjones1]

Name the two most famous Sangin' Postal Workers in the history of the USPS...???

Freddie Gorman (The Originals)

WIlliam DeVaughn

Both bad-ass singers!!!!!

[Bossdon82]

I thought Curtis Mayfield sung the original.