William DeVaughn

William Edward DeVaughn Jr. (born November 28, 1947) is an American R&B/soul singer, songwriter and guitarist, best known for the million-selling hit song "Be Thankful for What You Got" in 1974.

Biography DeVaughn was a salaried government employee as a drafting technician, and a part-time singer. He wrote a song called "A Cadillac Don't Come Easy", which was eventually re-written to become "Be Thankful for What You Got", in 1972. He spent $900 towards getting it recorded with Omega Sound, a Philadelphia production house. It was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA on May 31, 1974. With a sound and content influenced by Curtis Mayfield, its simple and encouraging lyrics hit home, to the extent that it became featured on gospel radio stations. When his success as a recording artist seemed guaranteed, DeVaughn quit his government job.

DeVaughn released an album, mainly of songs with a religious character, and its second single, "Blood Is Thicker than Water", reached No. 10 R&B and No. 43 pop later in 1974; "Give the Little Man a Great Big Hand" had only minor R&B chart success early the following year. The title song climbed to No. 37 in the Billboard R&B chart.

In 2004, DeVaughn released a new single, "I Came Back", on his own Mighty Two Diamond Records.

"Be Thankful for What You Got"

"Blood Is Thicker than Water"

"Give the Little Man a Great Big Hand"

"Kiss and Make Up"

"Figures Can't Calculate"

"Be Thankful for What You Got" [new version]

"Creme De Creme"

"I Came Back"

"Staying Power"

"Love Ballad of the Year"

"Love in Any Language"

"What Does It Take (to Win Your Love for Me)"

"I Gotta Dance to Keep from Crying"

"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.