Song Information
Title: It’s Only Make Believe
Artist: Conway Twitty
Writers: Conway Twitty and Jack Nance
Release Date: July 1958
Label: MGM Records
Genre: Rockabilly, Country
Chart Performance:
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Reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (November 1958)
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Certified gold
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Later covered by Glen Campbell, Ronnie McDowell, and others
“It’s Only Make Believe” was the breakthrough hit for Conway Twitty, co-written with drummer Jack Nance while on tour. Interestingly, the song took months to gain traction, initially struggling on the charts until it unexpectedly soared to the top, making Twitty an overnight sensation and paving the way for his transition from rock to country in later years.
Song Meaning
At its core, “It’s Only Make Believe” is a haunting confession of unrequited love. The narrator sings about a romantic connection that only exists in fantasy — a relationship that everyone else believes to be real, but which is painfully one-sided. While others see the couple and assume they’re truly in love, the harsh truth is that the woman he adores doesn’t return his feelings.
The lyrics “My only prayer will be / Some day you’ll care for me” capture the desperation and longing he feels. There’s a deep vulnerability in his voice, which contrasts with the confident delivery often heard in love songs of the time. What makes this song timeless is how it expresses a universal emotion — pretending everything is perfect on the outside while harboring a storm of sorrow within.
The aching vocal performance, especially in the line “My hopes, my dreams come true, my life I’d give for you,” shows a man caught between hope and heartbreak. Conway Twitty’s soaring falsetto adds an extra layer of intensity, making it one of the most emotionally charged ballads of the late ‘50s.
Explaining the Emotional Conflict
The emotional heart of the song lies in the illusion of love. In public, everything seems perfect — people assume the woman loves him back, that their love is mutual. But in reality, it’s all just an act. The man is living a one-sided fantasy, clinging to a dream that has no grounding in truth.
This raises a powerful question: Why do we sometimes choose to live in make-believe, even when it hurts? The answer, suggested through the song’s lyrics, is hope. Hope that one day things will change. That the person we love might finally see us. That maybe, if we pretend long enough, our dreams will become reality.
This tension between fantasy and reality is what makes the song resonate even decades later. It’s not just a song about a broken heart — it’s a song about the human need to believe in something better, even when faced with the painful truth. For many listeners, especially those who’ve experienced unreciprocated love, this song feels like a mirror to their own silent struggles.
The genius of Conway Twitty’s delivery is how sincerely he brings that heartbreak to life, without ever sounding bitter — just endlessly hopeful, and devastatingly alone.
Watch the Song Video
▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XbM7G-zJDY