Be Thankful for What You Got - William DeVaughn

[Jim Sagle]

Run time: 07:03 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wpP_JF-OKQ   Posted on YouTube: September 02, 2007 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: December 09, 2007 By DU Member: Jim Sagle Views on DU: 572

 
A 70s superclassic, with a slide show of scenes from entertainment and politics - from giant afros to plush automotive interiors, from the Constitution to w, from Lincoln to Nixon. The lyrics start off thusly:

Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac
Gangsta whitewalls
TV antennas in the back
You may not have a car at all
But remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall

Just be thankful for what you've got
Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac
Diamond in the back, sunroof top
Diggin' the scene With a gangsta lean
Gangsta whitewalls
TV antennas in the back

You may not have a car at all
But remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you've got

Diamond in the back, sunroof top
Diggin the scene With a gangsta lean, wooh-ooh-ooh
Diamond in the back, sunroof top
Diggin the scene With a gangsta lean, wooh-ooh-ooh
Diamond in the back, sunroof top
Diggin' the scene With a gangsta lean, wooh-ooh-ooh

And yes, it is political. That begins about 45 seconds in. The author describes it as follows:

William DeVaughn classic with images of cars that "you may not have... at all", gangster leans, political figures, historical figures including, Gil Scott Heron, John Quincy Adams, John Brown, William Lloyd Garrison, Fredrick Douglas, Linlcon, New York Mayor Al Smith, Ghandi, FDR, Hoffa, JFK, RFK, Betty Friedan, Pope John's opening statement to Vatican Two, Angela Davis, Jonas Salk's Congressional Gold Medal, Dizzy Gillespie, Jessie Owens, Jackie Robinson, Max Baer, Joe Louis, Rocky Mariano, Ali, Billy Jean King, Dr. J, and Lance Armstrong. Movie clips include Frank Capra's "You Can't Take it With You" and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington"; Vittorio De Sica's "Ladri di biciclette (1948)" ("The Bicyle Thief"); Spike Lee's "Crooklyn"; Martin Scorses' "The Last Temptation of Christ"; Quinent Tarentino's "Pulp Fiction"; Brian DePalm's "Scarface", "Untouchables" and "Carlito's Way", and cars from Superfly.

Politicians include the usual suspects, including Bushes, Clintons, Putin, Prince Abdule, Nixon in China, Reagan, Ford, Carter, and Hillary.