"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.[1] 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[2] and 24.[3] The single topped both U.S.[4] and the UK Singles Chart,[5] and became the only #1 pop single of his career. Years later, on a segment of 'Pop Goes The Country', Twitty stated it was a hit in 22 different countries, and sold over 8 million copies.[6] 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 #8 hit on the country music charts. Additionally, Twitty contributed to an alternative cover by McDowell.
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 #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.
Australian rock band Cold Chisel recorded a thundering version of the song in 1983 on their Barking Spiders Live album.
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.[9]
The horror punk band Misfits have a cover version on their 2003 covers album Project 1950, retitled "Only Make Believe".
Screamin' Jay Hawkins covered the song on his 1972 album "A Portrait of a Man and his Woman"[10] and it has appeared on several subsequent compilation albums.
Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave) recorded the song with Mariah Carey and Vince Gill on his 2006 album, Overnight Sensational.
