Conway Twitty - It's Only Make Believe

Song written by Jack Nance & Conway Twitty, was recorded by Conway Twitty, for the label M.G.M, May 7, 1958, Bradley Film & Recording Studios, Nashville, Tennessee. With the production of Jim Vienneau, it was launched on July 14, 1958. The song reached number # 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts, Canadian Singles Chart and UK Singles Chart, it was the first number one of Conway’s career. The single was a success in 22 different countries and sold more than 8 million copies.

The song would be part of Conway’s first studio album, Conway Twitty Sings (MGM Records 1959). Twitty recorded many later versions of “It’s Only Make Believe”, including a 1970 duet with Loretta Lynn on their first collaborative album, We Only Make Believe (Decca 1970). Twitty also collaborates on Ronnie McDowell’s 1988 version, I’m Still Missing You (Curb 1988), which was a number 8 on the country music charts.

It is believed that Twitty wrote his part of the song while sitting on a fire escape outside his hotel room, to escape the summer heat, in Hamilton, Ontario.

Some versions:

Jimmy Starr 1958 (Debbie Records)

Connie Francis 1959 (MGM)

The Hollies 1964 (Parlophone)

Billy Fury 1964 (Decca)

Jack Reno 1969 (Dot Records)

Jerry Williams 1970 (Sonet Records)

Bob Luman 1976 (Epic)

Ronnie McDowell 1988 (Curb)

Collin Raye 2005 (Aspirion)

And many more …….