I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am

"I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Merle Haggard and The Strangers. It was released in October 1968 as the only single from his album Pride in What I Am. The song peaked at number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.[1] It reached number-one on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks in January 1969. The song was covered by Dean Martin and released as a single in mid-1969. A tape recorder version of this song was played at the funeral of late Lynyrd Skynyrd vocalist, Ronnie Van Zant.

"I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am"
Single by Merle Haggard and The Strangers
from the album Pride in What I Am
B-side"Keep Me from Crying Today"
ReleasedOctober 14, 1968
GenreCountry
Length2:47
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)Merle Haggard
Producer(s)Ken Nelson
Merle Haggard and The Strangers singles chronology
"Mama Tried"
(1968)
"I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am"
(1968)
"Hungry Eyes"
(1969)

Personnel

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The Strangers:

  • Roy Nichols – guitar, harmonica
  • Norman Hamlet – steel guitar
  • George French – piano
  • Jerry Ward – bass
  • Eddie Burris – drums

Chart performance

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Merle Haggard
Chart (1968–1969) Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[2] 3
Canadian RPM Country Tracks 1
Dean Martin
Chart (1969) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[3] 75
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[4] 15
Canadian RPM Top Singles 62
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary 3
Jerry Butler
Chart (1969) Peak
position
Canadian RPM Top Singles 86

References

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  1. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 146.
  2. ^ "Merle Haggard Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  3. ^ "Dean Martin Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  4. ^ "Dean Martin Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.