Rediscover the Magic of 1958: “It’s Only Make Believe” by Conway Twitty Still Charms Generations
“It’s Only Make Believe” by Conway Twitty, released in 1958, stands as one of the crowning achievements of mid-20th century popular music—a powerful display of vocal emotion, heartfelt lyrics, and orchestral dramatic flair. Though Conway Twitty would later become synonymous with country music, it was this single—firmly rooted in the tradition of rock and roll ballads—that launched him into stardom and earned him a permanent place in music history. For those who may not be as familiar with the song, or who haven’t returned to it in some time, there is incredible pleasure in revisiting such a poignant and timeless piece, especially when so much of today’s music landscape leans on digital production and studio effects.
“It’s Only Make Believe” carved out a unique space upon its release, with Twitty’s rich and haunting baritone voice soaring above a dramatic arrangement. The song’s theme is a time-honored one: unrequited love and the bittersweet pain of knowing the relationship one longs for exists only in fantasy, not reality. What gives the track its strong emotional core is the remarkable sincerity in Twitty’s delivery—it almost bleeds yearning, yet it never feels overwrought. This balance between passion and restraint is what elevated Twitty’s performance above the many love songs of the same era.
The song’s narrative voice confesses a vulnerability that resonates across generations: he wears a mask of confidence, pretending to be the favored one of the woman he loves, all while knowing that sentiment is not truly returned. The lyrics, though simple, are filled with emotion and power, lending “It’s Only Make Believe” a poetic grace that remains effective more than six decades later.
What might surprise some listeners is that Twitty co-wrote the song with drummer Jack Nance, and though the singer was relatively unknown at the time, the song catapulted him to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard pop chart. This breakout success would be the beginning of a long and successful career, and while he would later become a country music icon, many still look back on this early hit as a defining moment of his career.
Interestingly, despite its immense success, the song was initially met with limited interest by U.S. radio stations. It was in the UK, where the single first began to gain traction, that listeners recognized the power of the performance. Eventually, American audiences caught on, proving that truly great music transcends borders and formats.
In today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving music scene, revisiting a song like “It’s Only Make Believe” serves as a gentle reminder of the power of emotional honesty in songwriting and unified musical artistry. It’s no wonder that this 1958 classic has endured for generations, covered by a diverse roster of artists and still holding a strong emotional appeal today. Whether you’re coming to it for the first time or simply returning out of nostalgic memory, there’s a certain kind of beauty in letting yourself be drawn back into Conway Twitty’s world—where sometimes, even heartbreak can sound like poetry.