“The Enchanting Tale Behind Conway Twitty‘s ‘It’s Only Make Believe'”
In the midst of a performance at the Flamingo Lounge in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, the magic of Conway Twitty’s iconic song, “It’s Only Make Believe,” was set in motion. Crafted primarily by Jack Nance, a member of Twitty’s band, during a brief intermission, the song gained its final touches from the maestro himself. Little did they know, this would mark the beginning of a musical journey that would captivate hearts around the globe.
Following the impromptu creation, a demo of “It’s Only Make Believe” and another track, “I’ll Try,” found its way to Twitty’s manager, Don Seat. Intrigued by the potential of these compositions, MGM Records orchestrated a recording session in Nashville on May 7, 1958. Twitty, accompanied by the harmonious tones of the Jordanaires and a talented lineup of musicians, including Floyd Cramer on piano, Grady Martin on guitar, and Floyd “Lightnin'” Chance on double bass, brought the song to life under the guidance of producer Jim Vienneau.
Released as the B-side of “I’ll Try” on July 14, 1958, “It’s Only Make Believe” initially faced an uphill battle. The A-side failed to resonate with the American audience, prompting Twitty to return to his farm, convinced the record had faltered. However, fate had a different plan.
A DJ in Columbus, Ohio, discovered the hidden gem that was “It’s Only Make Believe” on the flip side. The song swiftly became a sensation in the city before capturing the hearts of listeners nationwide. By September 1958, it had ascended to the top of the Billboard chart, claiming the No. 1 spot on November 10 and 24. The single not only dominated the U.S. but also conquered the UK Singles Chart, marking the zenith of Twitty’s pop career.
Surprisingly, despite recording various versions of the song, Twitty’s original 1958 hit never graced the Country & Western charts. Notably, a 1970 duet with Loretta Lynn on their collaborative album, “We Only Make Believe,” and a lively 1988 cover by Ronnie McDowell, which secured a No. 8 spot on the country music charts, added new dimensions to the song’s legacy. Twitty’s influence also echoed in an alternative cover by McDowell.
Reflecting on the success years later, Twitty revealed on ‘Pop Goes The Country’ that “It’s Only Make Believe” resonated in 22 countries and had amassed over 8 million copies in sales. This enchanting journey marked a pivotal moment in Conway Twitty’s career, propelling him from the shadows into the limelight of international stardom.
- Artists: Conway Twitty ,Loretta Lynn
- Album: Sings
- Released: 1959
- Genres: Country, Rock
Lyrics
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
Some day you’ll care for me
But it’s 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
Some day you’ll care for me
But 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 prayer, my hopes, my schemes
You are my every thing
But it’s only make believe (make believe)
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