It's Only Make Believe
Encyclopedia
"It's Only Make Believe" is the title of a song written by Jack Nance and American country music
artist Conway Twitty
, released by Twitty as a single in July 1958. The single topped both U.S. and British national charts, and was Twitty's only number-one single on the pop charts of either country.
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. One interesting fact about Twitty's original recording of this song was that Twitty's voice sounded so similar to that of Elvis Presley
that many people thought that the song was actually recorded by Presley, using "Conway Twitty" as a pseudonym
.
. He hopes and prays that, at some point in the future, the woman whom he is in love with will return his love, but laments that, at present, "it's only make believe."
had a UK #10 hit with his version in 1964, which also went to #1 in Singapore. Glen Campbell
's 1970 recording became a top ten hit in both the United States and United Kingdom. Ronnie McDowell
had a #8 single on the Billboard country chart in 1988 after recording the song as a duet with Twitty. The pop band Child releaswed the song as a single in 1978, reaching the top ten in the UK Charts. The horror punk band Misfits have a cover version on their 2003 covers album Project 1950
, retitled "Only Make Believe". Queen guitarist Brian May
has also covered it, his band consisting of Cozy Powell
, Jamie Moses
, Spike Edney
& Neil Murray
. Brian's cover can be found on the b-side of his 1998 single "Why Don't We Try Again". Clay Aiken
recorded the song for his 2010 album Tried and True
.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist Conway Twitty
Conway Twitty
Conway Twitty , 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 55 No. 1 Billboard country hits until George Strait broke the record in 2006...
, released by Twitty as a single in July 1958. The single topped both U.S. and British national charts, and was Twitty's only number-one single on the pop charts of either country.
Twitty recorded many subsequent versions of "It's only Make Believe", including a 1970 duet with Loretta Lynn
Loretta Lynn
Loretta Lynn is an American country music singer-songwriter, author and philanthropist. Born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky to a coal miner father, Lynn married at 13 years old, was a mother soon after, and moved to Washington with her husband, Oliver Lynn. Their marriage was sometimes tumultuous; he...
on their very first collaborative album, We Only Make Believe
We Only Make Believe
We Only Make Believe is a 1971 vocal duet album by American country music singer-songwriters, Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty.The album was the duo's first album together. The first and only single spawned off the album, "After the Fire Is Gone" went to #1 on the Billboard Country Chart and also...
. Twitty joins in on the last verse in a 1988 uptempo cover by Ronnie McDowell
Ronnie McDowell
Ronald Dean "Ronnie" McDowell is an American country music artist. He made his debut in 1977 with the song "The King Is Gone", a tribute to Elvis Presley, who had died not long before the single's release. From that single onward, McDowell has charted more than thirty Top 40 hits on the Billboard...
, which was a #8 hit on the country music charts. Additionally, Twitty contributed to an alternative cover by McDowell. One interesting fact about Twitty's original recording of this song was that Twitty's voice sounded so similar to that of Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
that many people thought that the song was actually recorded by Presley, using "Conway Twitty" as a pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
.
Content
The song's lyrics describe the thoughts and feelings of a man who is a victim of unrequited loveUnrequited love
Unrequited love is love that is not openly reciprocated or understood as such, even though reciprocation is usually deeply desired. The beloved may or may not be aware of the admirer's deep affections...
. He hopes and prays that, at some point in the future, the woman whom he is in love with will return his love, but laments that, at present, "it's only make believe."
Chart performance
| Chart (1958-1959) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.K. Singles Chart | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 1 |
| Canadian Singles Chart | 1 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 2 |
| Australian Singles Chart | 5 |
| Italian Singles Chart | 9 |
Cover versions
Billy FuryBilly Fury
Billy Fury, born Ronald William Wycherley , was an internationally successful English singer from the late-1950s to the mid-1960s, and remained an active songwriter until the 1980s. Rheumatic fever, which he first contracted as a child, damaged his heart and ultimately contributed to his death...
had a UK #10 hit with his version in 1964, which also went to #1 in Singapore. Glen Campbell
Glen Campbell
Glen Travis Campbell is an American country music singer, guitarist, television host and occasional actor. He is best known for a series of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as for hosting a variety show called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on CBS television.During his 50 years in show...
's 1970 recording became a top ten hit in both the United States and United Kingdom. Ronnie McDowell
Ronnie McDowell
Ronald Dean "Ronnie" McDowell is an American country music artist. He made his debut in 1977 with the song "The King Is Gone", a tribute to Elvis Presley, who had died not long before the single's release. From that single onward, McDowell has charted more than thirty Top 40 hits on the Billboard...
had a #8 single on the Billboard country chart in 1988 after recording the song as a duet with Twitty. The pop band Child releaswed the song as a single in 1978, reaching the top ten in the UK Charts. The horror punk band Misfits have a cover version on their 2003 covers album Project 1950
Project 1950
-Chart positions:-Bonus DVD:# "This Magic Moment"# "Dream Lover"# "Diana"# "Donna"# "Runaway"*Tracks 1-4, recorded at the Phillips US Open Snowboarding Championships*Track 5, recorded live, at The World in NYCBonus Material...
, retitled "Only Make Believe". Queen guitarist Brian May
Brian May
Brian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
has also covered it, his band consisting of Cozy Powell
Cozy Powell
Colin Flooks , better known as Cozy Powell, was an English rock drummer who made his name with many major rock bands.-Early history:...
, Jamie Moses
Jamie Moses
Jamie Moses is an Anglo-American rock guitarist who joined, in mid-1990s, the Tex-Mex band Los Pacaminos, led by Paul Young and, between 2005 and 2008, was rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist for Queen + Paul Rodgers....
, Spike Edney
Spike Edney
Philip 'Spike' Edney is a British musician who, since early 1970s, has performed with a number of bands, most notably, Queen, where his participation, starting in 1984, has been so extensive that some writers have described him as the "fifth member of Queen". In the earlier phase of his career,...
& Neil Murray
Neil Murray (British musician)
Philip Neil Murray is a Scottish bass player, best known for his work in Whitesnake and Black Sabbath.-Early days:Originally a drummer, Murray formed his first band with school friends in 1967 and his musical tastes were heavily influenced by the mid-1960s 'blues boom' bands and musicians,...
. Brian's cover can be found on the b-side of his 1998 single "Why Don't We Try Again". Clay Aiken
Clay Aiken
Clayton Holmes "Clay" Aiken is an American singer, songwriter, actor, producer and author who began his rise to fame on the second season of the television program American Idol in 2003. RCA Records offered him a recording contract, and his multi-platinum debut album Measure of a Man was released...
recorded the song for his 2010 album Tried and True
Tried and True
Tried and True is the fifth full length studio album released by Clay Aiken on June 1, 2010. This album is Aiken's first release on the Decca label. The deluxe edition includes two additional tracks plus a second disk with behind the scenes video and a live performance.-Background:The songs on...
.
Chart performance
| Chart (1970) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Kent Music Report | 1 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 4 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 5 |
| Euro Hit 50 | 10 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 3 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 2 |
| U.K. Singles Chart | 4 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 10 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 3 |
| U.S. Billboard Easy Listening | 2 |
Year-End Chart
| Chart (1970) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 99 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 76 |
| U.S. Cashbox Top 100 | 66 |
See also
- List of number-one singles from the 1950s (UK)
- List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1958 (U.S.)