Introduction
“It’s Hard to Be Humble” is a witty, tongue-in-cheek country tune originally written and recorded by Mac Davis in spring 1980, featured on his album Hard to Be Humble . The song quickly became a global success, reaching No. 10 on the U.S. Billboard Country chart and climbing high on various international charts—top 10 in Australia, No. 3 in New Zealand, and crime in popular rankings across Canada, the U.K., and South Africa . Its charming blend of self-deprecating humor and catchy melody made it a standout, and its universal appeal encouraged multiple covers, including versions in Dutch and German as well as by artists such as Rolf Harris and the Irish performer T.R. Dallas .
Nearly four decades later, in June 2019, legendary artist Willie Nelson offered a fresh take on this playful classic. His rendition appears as track 10 on the album Ride Me Back Home, which was released on June 21, 2019 via Legacy Recordings . In Nelson’s version, he brings new life to the song with the contribution of his sons—Lukas and Micah—who join him both vocally and visually in the music video released that same month . This familial collaboration infuses the humorous lyrics with warmth and charm, marrying generations of talent under one roof.
Nelson’s cover also resonates with his own outlaw-country persona—marked by playful humility and rugged authenticity—making it a seamless fit in his late-career catalog . The 2019 video, featuring Willy and his sons in intimate studio scenes, has drawn significant attention, racking up hundreds of thousands of views and reaffirming the song’s enduring popularity .