"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.

• Merle Haggard– vocals, guitar

The Strangers:

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

Merle Haggard

Dean Martin

Jerry Butler