William DeVaughn - "Be Thankful For What You Got"

Of course, this excellent William DeVaughn song should really be considered the best Curtis Mayfield tune not actually written or performed by the man himself. I once ordered a British-released 2 albums on 1 CD release by William DeVaughn that never showed up - when I wrote to ask, I was told it had been deleted! Anyone who has a copy of that, I'd love to do a trade (I've got roughly 10K CDs). Let me know!

Yo La Tengo also covered this, no?

As for DeVaughn, the BE THANKFUL album is surprisingly good. It's been reissued in the US on the Collectables label, and holds up well from start to finish. Includes his soundalike followup, "Blood Is Thicker Than Water."

Tune that couldn't get any more classic. Supposedly the original title was 'A Cadillac Don't Come Easy'

Saw old-school soul group the Winstons cover this recently

I always think he's saying

"Gangsta whiteboys / TV interns in the back"

cmon, ned. cmon.

Love (as in Arthur Lee's group) did a horrendous version on their final album, REEL TO REAL.
i don't think this is really horrendous. if anything it sticks a little too close to the script.

I was just thinking about this song yesterday, namely after reading an apt tweet about the difficulty of exercising self-restraint when old friends post youtube links to "Curtis Mayfield - Diamond in the Back". (That youtube video has > 1000000 hits, I think. Seriously, someone can't just change the title?!?)

timely revive, as was just listening to the incredible craig peyton version earlier tonight:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybEoPKg4KNo

That cover is really good! This is my favorite DeVaughn version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KFpaWVy-Ac

uuuugh, this is so good!

It's the version on the Devaughn/Captain Sky twofer promo 12". Has the "Figures Can't Calculate" cover on one side and Captain Sky looking afrofuturistic on the other. I think there's a 12" reissue, too, but I can't remember the label. I'll be on the lookout for that Craig Peyton!

yeah, it's usually on discogs for around $12-15 but i'm always hoping i'll just come across it in a shop someday

That Craig Peyton version is awesome.

Massive Attack's version is an extension of Winston Curtis' 1984 reggae cover, particularly the bassline:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhcASGSHSt8

just listened to like 5 different versions of this song for about an hour

for a long time i thought this was by yo la tengo. what a phantastic groove. super classic.

This song is still so impressive to my ears, it always sounds fresh. It's one of those 'playlist for eternity' songs for me.

The 8-minute Tom Moulton mix is arguably in my all-time top 10.

Can't see it mentioned upthread but the One Blood cover is great too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meiNMQTgjfw

The 8-minute Tom Moulton mix is arguably in my all-time top 10 1.

moulton is my favorite version, those vibes, dammmmn. i've played it for like an hour at a time before.

It is one of those songs that you just want to go on forever.

And it feels like it's supposed to (in a good way)!

The Love version ain’t as bad as someone said upthread!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WopoFAZwdBw

Such a good song. Co-sign on the moulton rmx as one of the best songs of all time.