William DeVaughn, born November 28, 1947, in Washington, D.C., is an American R&B/soul singer, songwriter, and guitarist best known for his 1974 hit "Be Thankful for What You Got." ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_DeVaughn?utm_source=openai)) Originally a government drafting technician, DeVaughn invested $900 to record the track, which sold nearly two million copies, reaching No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart and No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_DeVaughn?utm_source=openai)) His smooth vocals and uplifting lyrics, reminiscent of Curtis Mayfield, have left a lasting impact on the soul genre.