It’s Only Make Believe (song)
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By The cover art can be obtained from MGM., Fair use, Link
“It’s Only Make Believe” | |
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Single by Conway Twitty | |
from the album Conway Twitty Sings | |
B-side | “I’ll Try” |
Released | July 14, 1958 |
Recorded | May 7, 1958 |
Studio | Bradley Film & Recording Studios, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
Genre | Country, rockabilly, pop |
Length | 2:10 |
Label | MGM |
Songwriter(s) | Jack Nance, Conway Twitty |
Producer(s) | Jim Vienneau |
Conway Twitty singles chronology | |
“I Need Your Lovin'” (1957)”It’s Only Make Believe“ (1958)”The Story of My Love” (1958) | |
Audio sample | |
0:31filehelp |
“It’s Only Make Believe” is a song written by drummer Jack Nance and Mississippi-born singer Conway Twitty, while both were touring across Ontario, Canada in 1958. The song was recorded on May 7 for MGM Records; produced by Jim Vienneau, it featured Floyd “Lightnin’” Chance on double bass. It was released on side B of “I’ll Try” on July 14, 1958. Known as Harold Lloyd Jenkins until changing his name in 1957, Twitty was a relatively unknown rock n’ roll singer at the time. That all changed when side B finally hit the chart in September, then made No. 1 twice, on November 10 and 24. The single topped both U.S. and the UK Singles Chart, and became the only No. 1 pop single of his career. Years later, on a segment of ‘Pop Goes The Country’, Twitty stated it was a hit in 22 countries, and sold over 8 million copies. He did not become a country music star until he crossed over in 1966.
Though Twitty recorded subsequent versions of “It’s Only Make Believe”, his original 1958 hit never entered the Country & Western charts. He recorded a 1970 duet with Loretta Lynn, on their first collaborative album, We Only Make Believe.
Twitty joins in on the last verse in a 1988 uptempo cover by Ronnie McDowell, which was a No. 8 hit on the country music charts. Additionally, Twitty contributed to an alternative cover by McDowell.
Chart performance
Conway Twitty version
Chart (1958–1959) | Peak position |
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Australian Singles Chart | 5 |
Canadian Singles Chart | 1 |
Italian Singles Chart | 9 |
Norwegian Singles Chart | 2 |
UK Singles Chart | 1 |
US Billboard Hot 100 | 1 |
U.S. Billboard R&B Best Sellers in Stores | 12 |
All-time charts
Chart (1958-2018) | Position |
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US Billboard Hot 100 | 307 |
Cover versions
“It’s Only Make Believe” | |
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Single by Glen Campbell | |
from the album The Glen Campbell Goodtime Album | |
B-side | “Pave Your Way Into Tomorrow” |
Released | August 25, 1970 |
Recorded | December 18, 1967 |
Studio | Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California |
Genre | Country |
Length | 2:21 |
Label | Capitol Records |
Songwriter(s) | Jack Nance, Conway Twitty |
Producer(s) | Al de Lory |
Glen Campbell singles chronology | |
“Everything a Man Could Ever Need“ (1970)”It’s Only Make Believe“ (1970)”Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)“ (1971) |
- In 1964, Billy Fury had a UK No. 10 hit with his version, which also went to No. 1 in Singapore.
- Glen Campbell‘s 1970 recording for The Glen Campbell Goodtime Album became a top ten hit in both the United States and United Kingdom.
- Ronnie McDowell had a No. 8 single on the Billboard country chart in 1988 after recording the song as a duet with Twitty.
- The pop band Child released the song as a single in 1978, reaching the top ten in the UK Charts.
- Canadian country music singer Carroll Baker covered the song on her 1991 compilation Her Finest Collection. It was released as the album’s first single and peaked at number 28 on the RPM Country Tracks chart.
Jon Bon Jovi – It’s Only Make Believe (Conway Twitty Cover / Los Angeles 1998)
The Hollies – It’s only make believe
Tony Jackson Performs Conway Twitty’s “It’s Only Make Believe” | Huckabee
Chart performance
Glen Campbell version
Chart (1970) | Peak position |
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Australian KMR | 1 |
Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 4 |
Canadian RPM Top Singles | 5 |
Euro Hit 50 | 10 |
Irish Singles Chart | 3 |
New Zealand Singles Chart | 2 |
U.K. Singles Chart | 4 |
US Billboard Hot 100 | 10 |
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard) | 3 |
U.S. Billboard Easy Listening | 2 |
Year-end chart
Chart (1970) | Peak position |
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U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 99 |
Canadian RPM Top Singles | 76 |
U.S. Cashbox Top 100 | 66 |
Freddie Starr – It’s Only Make Believe
Jim Ed Brown – Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On
Connie Francis – It’s Only Make Believe
Wanda Jackson – It’s Only Make Believe
Mandy Barnett – It’s Only Make Believe
Robert Gordon – It’s only make believe
Loretta Lynn – It’s Only Make Believe
Johnny Burnette – It’s Only Make Believe
Floyd Cramer – Its Only Make Believe
Ronni Rae Rivers – It’s Only Make Believe
Bouke – It’s Only Make Believe
Bobby Curtola – It’s Only Make Believe
Fiona Apple – It’s Only Make Believe
Lynn Anderson – It’s Only Make Believe
Timi Yuro – It’s Only Make Believe
Andy Williams- It’s only make believe
Roy Hamilton – It’s Only Make Believe
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