It’s Only Make Believe – Conway Twitty | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#1) and Country (#1); 1958
Story Behind The Song By Harris Sterling
In 1958, Conway Twitty released It’s Only Make Believe, a dramatic ballad that became his breakthrough hit. Written by Twitty and drummer Jack Nance, the song showcased his powerful vocal range and emotional intensity.
Produced by Owen Bradley, the recording featured a sweeping orchestral arrangement that emphasized the song’s theatrical tone. Released in the summer of 1958, It’s Only Make Believe climbed to #1 on the Billboard Pop chart and also topped the Country chart.
The lyric centers on a man who pretends to be indifferent after a breakup while privately admitting his heartbreak. Rather than bitterness, the song portrays emotional vulnerability behind a façade of confidence.
It’s Only Make Believe became Conway Twitty’s first major success and remains one of the most recognizable crossover ballads of the late 1950s.
This content was created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Harris Sterling. © 2026 Harris Sterling. All rights reserved.
Produced by:
Owen Bradley
Lyrics Written by:
Conway Twitty
Jack NanceAwards:
No Grammy Awards were awarded at the time of its release.
Harris Sterling
Independent music label executive Harris Sterling has worked in the music industry for most of his career.
As Executive Vice President for independent music label Madacy Entertainment, he led the strategic marketing and business development for the label, negotiating agreements with the major record labels to release custom music compilations under license with major brands, such as Ford Motor Company, Crayola, Care Bears and Elvis Presley Enterprises.
Harris also led Madacy’s strategy for the licensing of its entire music catalogue to Apple for their launch of the IPOD.
In 2011, Harris co-founded Starting Five Media, a company that specializes in recording and licensing custom renditions of popular songs as well as clearing the rights to the music composition for use by their clients in media projects.
Harris has negotiated publishing and master recording rights for many Top 40 songs for use in various media projects, TV Commercials and more.