It's Only Make Believe

"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.

"It's Only Make Believe"
Single by Conway Twitty
from the album Sings
B-side"I'll Try"
ReleasedJuly 14, 1958
RecordedMay 7, 1958
Bradley Film & Recording Studios, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
GenreCountry, rockabilly, pop
Length2:10
LabelMGM
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"
(1959)

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.

Chart performance

Conway Twitty version
Chart (1958–1959) Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart 5
Canadian Singles Chart 1
Italian Singles Chart 9
Norwegian Singles Chart 2
UK Singles Chart[5] 1
US Billboard Hot 100 1
U.S. Billboard R&B Best Sellers in Stores[7] 12

All-time charts
Chart (1958-2018) Position
US Billboard Hot 100[8] 307

Cover versions

Chart performance

Glen Campbell version
Chart (1970) Peak
position
Australian KMR[12] 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[13] 10
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[14] 3
U.S. Billboard Easy Listening 2

Year-end chart
Chart (1970) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 99
Canadian RPM Top Singles 76
U.S. Cashbox Top 100 66

See also

References
  1. http://www.cmt.com/news/1500104/session-legend-floyd-lightnin-chance-dies-at-age-79/
  2. "Hits for week of Nov 10". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media, LLC. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  3. "Hits for week of Nov 24". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media, LLC. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  4. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 647.
  5. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 92–3. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  6. "Conway Twitty on Pop Goes The Country". YouTube. 2007-08-10. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  7. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 595.
  8. "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  9. "Robert Gordon (2) - It's Only Make Believe". Discogs.
  10. "RPM Country Tracks". RPM. February 23, 1991. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  11. "A Portrait Of A Man And His Woman - Screamin' Jay Hawkins — Listen and discover music at". Last.fm. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  12. "Go-Set Australian charts - 26 December 1970". Poparchives.com.au. 1970-12-26. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
  13. "Glen Campbell Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  14. "Glen Campbell Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
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