It's Only Make Believe

Conway Twitty

About It's Only Make Believe

"It's Only Make Believe" is a song written by Jack Nance and American country music artist Conway Twitty, and produced by MGM Records' Jim Vienneau, released by Twitty as a single in July 1958. The single topped both U. S. and the UK Singles Chart, and was Twitty's only #1 single on the pop charts of either country. On a segment of Pop Goes The Country, Twitty states the single was a hit in 22 different countries and sold over 8 million copies. It is believed that Twitty wrote his part of the song while sitting on a fire escape outside his hotel room, to escape the summer heat, in Hamilton, Ontario. Twitty had gone to Canada on the advice of another American singer, Rompin' Ronnie Hawkins, because Hawkins had told Twitty that Canada was the 'promised land' for music. Twitty recorded many subsequent versions of "It's Only Make Believe", including a 1970 duet with Loretta Lynn on their very first collaborative album, We Only Make Believe. Twitty joins in on the last verse in a 1988 uptempo cover by Ronnie McDowell, which was a #8 hit on the country music charts. Additionally, Twitty contributed to an alternative cover by McDowell. 


Year:
2007
2:14
25 
#2

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People see us everywhere
They think you really care
But myself I can't deceive
I know it's only make believe

My one and only prayer is that some day you'll care,
My hopes, my dreams come true, my one and only you.
No one will ever know how much I love you so
My only prayer will be someday you'll care for me
But it's o-only make believe.

My hopes, my dreams come true, my life I'd give for you,
My heart, a wedding ring, my all, my everything.
My heart I can't control, you rule my very soul,
My only prayer will be someday you'll care for me
But it's o-only make believe.

My one and only prayer, is that some day you'll care,
My hopes, my dreams come true, my one and only you
No one will ever know how much I love you so
My prayers, my hopes, my schemes, you are my every dream
But it's o-only make believe (Make believe)

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Conway Twitty

Conway Twitty (September 1, 1933 – June 5, 1993), born Harold Lloyd Jenkins, was an American country music artist. He also had success in early rock and roll, R&B and pop music. He held the record for the most number one singles of any act with 40 No. 1 Billboard country hits until George Strait broke the record in 2006. From 1971-76, Twitty received a string of Country Music Association awards for duets with Loretta Lynn. He was never a member of the Grand Ole Opry, but was inducted into both the Country Music and Rockabilly Halls of Fame. more »

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Written by: Conway Twitty, Jack Nance

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Song Origin
The song "It's Only Make Believe" was originally written by Conway Twitty and Jack Nance, released in 1958.
Song Popularity
Conway Twitty's version of "It's Only Make Believe" hit number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and also reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart.
Song Cover
The song was later covered by country singer Ronnie McDowell in 1988.
Chart Success of the Cover
McDowell’s version of the song reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Other Covers
Not only has Ronnie McDowell covered "It's Only Make Believe", but it has also become a popular song to cover, with versions by Glen Campbell and Elvis Presley among others.
Twitty's Stage Name Origin
Conway Twitty was born Harold Lloyd Jenkins but changed his name in 1957. He chose his new name "Conway" from Conway, Arkansas, and "Twitty" from Twitty, Texas.
Genre Shift
While "It's Only Make Believe" is remembered as a pop hit, Conway Twitty's career was mainly focused on country music. This song showed his ability to successfully crossover between genres.
International Success
Conway Twitty's original version was not only a hit in the U.S and the U.K, but it also achieved success in Canada and Australia.
Versatility
Ronnie McDowell, who covered "It's Only Make Believe", is known for his versatility, from country to rockabilly to pop.
Saluting the Original
McDowell’s cover of Conway Twitty's "It's Only Make Believe" was included on his 1988 album "The King Is Gone", which is basically a tribute to Elvis Presley. Twitty himself had a personal connection with Presley, they were friends and performed together multiple times during their careers.
Microphone Technique
It's been noted that both Conway Twitty and Ronnie McDowell have a similar singing style, using an intimate microphone technique giving a sense of someone softly speaking rather than singing. They utilized this technique on many of their hit songs, including "It's Only Make Believe".

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    It's Only Make Believe

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1958

    Billboard #1


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