About the song
There are few voices in American music as instantly recognizable—or as beloved—as **Willie Nelson**’s. With his nasal twang, behind-the-beat phrasing, and unshakeable charm, Nelson has long been one of the great storytellers of country music. But he’s not just a balladeer of heartbreak and honky-tonk laments. He also possesses a deeply wry sense of humor, one that comes shining through in the irresistibly cheeky **”It’s Hard to Be Humble”**, a song that balances satire and self-awareness with delightful ease.
Originally written and recorded by **Mac Davis** in 1980, the song found a new life in the hands of **Willie Nelson**, who infused it with his signature laid-back swagger. The premise is as tongue-in-cheek as they come: a man grappling with the “difficulty” of being humble when he’s just so perfect in every way. But behind the bravado lies something more subtle—a gentle poke at the ego-driven personas that often dominate celebrity culture, especially in country and pop stardom.
Nelson’s rendition of **”It’s Hard to Be Humble”** feels like he’s letting you in on the joke. There’s no real arrogance here—only a well-worn cowboy tipping his hat to the absurdity of self-importance. It’s this tension between the lyric’s over-the-top confidence and Nelson’s easygoing delivery that gives the song its lasting appeal. You get the sense he’s chuckling under his breath the whole time, and that wink to the listener makes the song more endearing with each listen.
Musically, it’s classic Nelson: simple, unpretentious instrumentation, a shuffle beat, and a vocal that sounds like it was recorded on a front porch with a cold beer in hand. It invites sing-alongs and belly laughs in equal measure, making it a favorite among fans at live shows.
In a catalog filled with weighty themes of love, loss, freedom, and mortality, **Willie Nelson – It’s Hard to Be Humble** stands out as a reminder that even legends don’t take themselves too seriously. And perhaps that’s the secret to Nelson’s enduring appeal—not just the voice or the guitar or the songs, but the sense of humanity and humor that runs through it all.
Video
Lyrics
Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble
When you’re perfect in every way
I can’t wait to look in the mirror
‘Cause I get better lookin’ each day
To know me is to love me
I must be a hell of a man
Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble
But I’m doing the best that I can
I used to have me a girlfriend
But I guess that she couldn’t compete
With all of them love-starved women
Who keep clamoring around at my feet
Well, I could probably could find me another
But I guess they’re all in awe of me (oh, man)
Who cares? I’ll never get lonesome
‘Cause I treasure my own company
Lord, it’s hard to be humble
When you’re perfect in every way
I can’t wait to look in the mirror
‘Cause I get better lookin’ each day
To know me is to love me
I must be one hell of a man
Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble
But I’m doing the best that I can
I guess you could say I’m a loner (yeah)
A cowboy outlaw, tough and proud
I could have a lot of friends if I wanted
But then I wouldn’t stand out from the crowd
Some folks say that I’m egotistical
Hell, I don’t even know what that means
I guess it has something to do with the way
That I fill out my skintight blue jeans
Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble
When you’re perfect in every way
I can’t wait to look in the mirror
But I get better lookin’ each day
To know me is to love me
I must be one hell of a man
Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble
But I’m doing the best that I can
Lord, it’s hard to be humble
But I’m doing the best that I can
