Carly Pearce Says She Reached A ‘New Level of Vulnerability’ With ‘Happy For Myself’

Carly Pearce is opening up about one of her most personal songs yet. The country star’s newest track “Happy For Myself” finds her tapping into a true story and very real emotions while offering another preview of her upcoming album, Honest Woman, set to arrive August 28.

The tender tune, penned by Pearce alongside Lauren Hungate, Jordan Reynolds and Emily Weisband, tells the story of a milestone moment that was supposed to be filled with joy and happiness but unexpectedly brought a flood of emotions Pearce wasn’t prepared for.

She sings about her friend inviting her to go engagement ring shopping, wanting a second opinion on if she should get a platinum or yellow gold band. While helping her friend make such a meaningful decision, Pearce reveals the quiet inner struggle of ignoring the lump in her throat and putting her own feelings aside to be fully present for someone else.

Set against delicate guitar strums and stripped-down production, the song allows Pearce’s vulnerable vocals to take center stage as she wrestles with the complicated emotions behind wanting to celebrate someone else’s happiness while also longing for her own. At the heart of the track lies the deeply honest question: “When do I get to be happy for myself?”

“And I waited to cry ’til I got in my car Oh, how can good news be so damn hard? It’s not that I’m not happy for everyone else But when do I get to be happy for myself,” Pearce sings on the powerful chorus.

Because of the sheer vulnerability of the narrative that came from a real-life moment, Pearce says “Happy for Myself” is a track that she feels “really connected to.”

“I never imagined the feelings that would come up for me in that moment, but that kind of overwhelming feeling of envy for what she had…I think comparison is something that, especially as women, no matter what it is, a baby, an engagement, wedding, success, all of the things, it can really get at you. And I think that song is a new level of vulnerability for me,” she admitted to Country Now.

The new song arrives just a few weeks before fans can get their hands on the entire 16-track project. Co-produced by the GRAMMY, CMA, and ACM Award-winning artist with longtime collaborator Ben West, Honest Woman is expected to find Pearce “embrace every aspect of who she was, is, and will become.” The collection includes features with Riley Green, Dan Tyminski and Molly Tuttle.

To mark the arrival of Honest Woman, the “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay” singer will celebrate with a special album release performance at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, August 29.

She will then hit the road for her “Honest Woman: Up Close” live shows, presented by Conundrum Wines, bringing intimate performances to cities across North America. The run begins September 10 with a two-night run in Detroit and will continue through Chicago, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Boston before concluding with two nights in New York City.