“It’s Only Make Believe” by Conway Twitty: The Unexpected No. 1 Hit That Launched a Legend
In the late 1950s, the music world was in the midst of a cultural revolution. Rock ‘n’ roll was taking over, and artists from across the United States were trying to carve out their place in this new musical landscape. Among them was a relatively unknown singer from Mississippi named Conway Twitty. With a voice that carried a blend of raw emotion and southern charm, Twitty was on the verge of something big, even if he didn’t know it yet. The song that would change everything for him was “It’s Only Make Believe.”
Written during a tour stop in Ontario, Canada, in 1958, “It’s Only Make Believe” was a product of collaboration between Twitty and his drummer, Jack Nance. At that time, Twitty was performing in small venues, far from the stardom that awaited him. The song was penned during a break in a show at the Flamingo Lounge in Hamilton, Ontario—a simple setting for what would become a monumental hit.
The initial reception of the song was modest. It was recorded in Nashville with Floyd Cramer on piano, Grady Martin on guitar, and Floyd “Lightnin'” Chance on double bass. Backed by the Jordanaires and produced by Jim Vienneau, the recording captured the raw energy of Twitty’s voice, including the distinctive growl that Vienneau insisted he keep. However, when the single was released by MGM Records on July 14, 1958, it was placed on the B-side of another song, “I’ll Try.”
For a while, it seemed like “It’s Only Make Believe” might fade into obscurity. The A-side didn’t catch the public’s attention, and Twitty, disheartened, returned home to work on his farm. But fate had other plans. A DJ in Columbus, Ohio, flipped the record over and started playing “It’s Only Make Believe.” The song quickly caught fire, resonating with listeners far beyond Ohio.
By September 1958, the song had entered the Billboard charts, and just a few months later, in November, it reached the coveted No. 1 spot, where it stayed for two weeks. This was an extraordinary achievement for an artist who had been virtually unknown just a short time before. The song’s success didn’t stop at the U.S. borders—it topped the charts in the UK and became a hit in 22 countries, eventually selling over 8 million copies.
“It’s Only Make Believe” marked the beginning of a storied career for Conway Twitty, who would go on to become one of the most successful crossover artists in music history. Although he is best remembered today as a country music legend, this rock ‘n’ roll ballad was his first—and only—No. 1 pop single. The song’s haunting melody and heartfelt lyrics touched a chord with audiences worldwide, proving that even in the rapidly changing world of 1950s music, a great song could still rise to the top through sheer emotional power.
Twitty’s original recording of “It’s Only Make Believe” remains iconic, and though he later recorded new versions, including a duet with Loretta Lynn and a cover by Ronnie McDowell in 1988, it’s the 1958 version that cemented his place in music history. This song is not just a classic; it’s a testament to the unpredictable nature of the music industry, where sometimes the B-side of a record can become the defining hit of an artist’s career.