“It’s Only Make Believe,” a timeless classic released in 1958, cemented Conway Twitty’s place in the annals of rock and roll history. Before becoming a country music legend, Harold Lloyd Jenkins, better known as Conway Twitty, was a rising rockabilly star. Twitty’s early influences ranged from Elvis Presley to gospel quartets, a blend that fueled his distinctive vocal style. While he would later achieve unparalleled success in country music, boasting a staggering 55 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, “It’s Only Make Believe” marked his initial breakthrough and established him as a force to be reckoned with.
The song itself is a poignant ballad exploring the torment of unrequited love. The narrator is deeply infatuated, but his feelings are not reciprocated. He resorts to pretending that the affection is mutual, clinging to a fragile illusion to ease the pain of reality. The lyrics paint a picture of a heartbreaking charade, where smiles and sweet nothings are merely “make believe,” shielding the protagonist from the crushing weight of his unfulfilled desires. The raw emotion in Twitty’s vocal delivery perfectly complements the song’s melancholic theme, making it instantly relatable to anyone who has experienced the pangs of unrequited love.
“It’s Only Make Believe” topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK Singles Chart, catapulting Twitty to international stardom. The song resonated deeply with audiences worldwide, its simple yet powerful message striking a chord with teenagers and adults alike. The honest portrayal of vulnerability, masked by a facade of happiness, resonated with listeners who understood the universal experience of longing and heartbreak. Even decades later, “It’s Only Make Believe” continues to be a popular choice on oldies stations and remains a testament to Twitty’s ability to capture the essence of human emotion within a three-minute song. Its enduring appeal lies in its timeless theme and the raw, heartfelt performance that made Conway Twitty a star.
