There aren’t many artists who can deliver a joke, a truth, and a tune all at once—but Willie Nelson has made a career out of doing just that. Nowhere is that more apparent than in his rendition of “It’s Hard to Be Humble”, a song that’s equal parts comedy and confession. Originally penned by Mac Davis in 1980, the tune was a novelty hit in its day, but when Willie Nelson picked it up decades later, he gave it new life with old-soul charm.
Released on his 2020 album First Rose of Spring, Willie’s version of “It’s Hard to Be Humble” is both a cover and a playful commentary on his own legendary status. And rather than softening the irony, he leans right into it—delivering each line with the kind of seasoned grin that only someone who’s been around the block more than once can offer.
“To know me is to love me / I must be a hell of a man…”
The song opens with that delightfully tongue-in-cheek declaration, and Willie runs with it. His delivery is dry, understated, and steeped in self-awareness. At 80-something years old, he’s not trying to convince anyone of his greatness—instead, he’s poking fun at the myth of it, even as he nods toward the truth that he’s earned every accolade thrown his way.
Musically, the arrangement is upbeat and classic: acoustic strumming, light percussion, and Willie’s unmistakable phrasing, which dances somewhere between spoken word and melody. The chorus—“Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way”—lands like an inside joke between old friends. It’s catchy, clever, and just cheeky enough to bring a smile.
But underneath the laughter, there’s something deeper at play: a celebration of being comfortable in your own skin. At a time in life when many artists look back with solemnity, Willie instead throws open the curtains and invites everyone to chuckle along with him. He’s not mocking humility—he’s embracing the freedom that comes when you no longer need to prove anything.
In true Willie Nelson fashion, “It’s Hard to Be Humble” reminds us that humor and humility go hand in hand—and that a little laughter, especially at ourselves, might just be the most graceful way to age.