About the song
Conway Twitty – “It’s Only Make Believe”
There’s a certain magic to songs that capture the bittersweet ache of love and longing. Songs that transport you back to simpler times, to the raw emotions of youth, to that first heartbreak that felt like the end of the world. And few artists could deliver those feelings with the sincerity and soulful intensity of Conway Twitty. His voice, a rich baritone imbued with a hint of vulnerability, was the perfect vehicle for tales of love found and lost, and nowhere is this more evident than in his 1958 breakthrough hit, “It’s Only Make Believe.”
This wasn’t just another song for Twitty; it was the one that catapulted him to stardom, a crossover smash that resonated with both pop and country audiences. It’s a testament to the song’s enduring appeal that it topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a remarkable five weeks and even made inroads on the R&B charts. What is it about “It’s Only Make Believe” that captivated listeners then and continues to hold a special place in the hearts of many today?
At its core, the song is a simple yet powerful ballad about unrequited love. Twitty, with his heartfelt delivery, embodies the character of a man yearning for a love that exists only in his dreams. He paints a vivid picture of this fantasy world where he and his beloved are together, a world he desperately clings to despite knowing it’s just an illusion. The lyrics, penned by Twitty himself (under his real name Harold Jenkins) along with Jack Nance, are imbued with a poetic quality, capturing the yearning and desperation of a love that can never be.
But it’s not just the lyrics that make “It’s Only Make Believe” so compelling. The melody, with its soaring chorus and melancholic undertones, perfectly complements the emotional weight of the words. The arrangement, featuring lush strings and a gentle rhythm section, creates an atmosphere of romantic longing. And, of course, there’s Twitty’s voice, which elevates the song to another level. He sings with such raw emotion, such heartfelt conviction, that you can’t help but be drawn into his world of make-believe.
In a career filled with hits, “It’s Only Make Believe” remains one of Conway Twitty’s most enduring and beloved songs. It’s a timeless classic that speaks to the universal experience of love, loss, and the power of dreams. So, let’s revisit this iconic track and explore the elements that make it such a masterpiece of popular music.
Video
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 prayers, my hopes, and my schemes, you are my every dream
But it’s only make-believe, mm (make-believe)