It's Only Make Believe

Infobox Single
Name = It's Only Make Believe


Artist = Conway Twitty
from Album = Conway Twitty Sings
B-side = "I'll Try"
Released = 1958
Format = 7" single
Recorded =
Genre =
Length = 2:28
Label = MGM
Writer = Jack Nance, Conway Twitty
Producer =
Certification =
Last single = "I Need Your Lovin'"
(1957)
This single = "It's Only Make Believe"
(1958)
Next single = "The Story of My Love"
(1959)

"It's Only Make Believe" is the name of a song written by Jack Nance and Conway Twitty. Twitty released it as a single in 1958 (see 1958 in music.) The single performed well, topping both U.S. and British national charts, and to date remains Twitty's only number-one single on the pop charts of either country.

The song's lyrics describe the thoughts and feelings of a man in love with a woman who does not seem to be in love with him. He hopes and prays that, at some point in time, the woman will be able to return his love, but laments that, at present, "it's only make believe."

The co-author of the song, Jack Nance, is not the same person as John Marvin Nance, an actor also known as Jack Nance. The co-author was a drummer, trumpet player and singer, who worked with Conway in Arkansas as a teenager. Later in his career Jack toured with Germain Jackson.

Cover versions

Many artists have remade this song. Notable cover versions include:
*Connie Francis on her 1959 album "Rock 'n' Roll Million Sellers"
*Billy Fury had a hit with his version in the United Kingdom in 1964. It reached No. 10 in the UK and No. 1 in Singapore.
*Also in 1964, The Hollies released a version for their album "Stay With The Hollies"
*Glen Campbell's 1970 remake became a top ten hit in both the United States and United Kingdom
*Cold Chisel performed it live during their Last Stand concerts. Although not included in the Last Stand concert film or soundtrack album, a version was released on their album.
*Robert Gordon released his version on his 1979 album "Rock Billy Boogie"
*Ronnie McDowell had success on Billboard's country chart in 1988 with his version, where Twitty has a cameo.
*Brian May performed this song a couple of times in his 1998 tour. He even released the song on a mini-album. It is one of his favorite songs.
*Johnny Farago, a singer from Quebec, performed the song with Chatelaine
*Robin Cook, Kelly Hogan, John Wesly Harding, Floyd Cramer, The Four Aces and The Misfits are among the artists who covered the song.
*Sam Moore covered this song in 2006 on his CD "Overnight Sensational" with help from Mariah Carey and Vince Gill.
*Collin Raye on his 2005 album "Twenty Years and Change".

External links

* [http://youtube.com/watch?v=HMrqfm7gWck It's Only Make Believe] @ You Tube