The Meaning Behind The Song: “It’s Only Make Believe” by Conway Twitty
Conway Twitty was one of the most successful country music singers of all time. He had a long and illustrious career that spanned over five decades, and he was known for his smooth voice and swooning love songs. One of his most famous songs is “It’s Only Make Believe,” which was released in 1958 and went on to become a massive hit. In this article, we will delve into the meaning behind this classic song.
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The Inspiration Behind the Song
“It’s Only Make Believe” was written by Twitty himself and Jack Nance, a musician who worked for Twitty’s record label. The song was actually inspired by a woman who turned down Twitty for a date. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Twitty said, “I was left standing there feeling real stupid. So I went home and wrote a song that said, ‘It’s only make believe if I believed in love.'”
The Lyrics and Their Meaning
The lyrics of “It’s Only Make Believe” are about a person who is in love with someone who doesn’t feel the same way. The first verse sets the scene:
“People see us everywhere
They think you really care
But myself, I can’t deceive
I know it’s only make believe”
The narrator is acknowledging that other people might think that the two of them are in love, but he knows that it’s not real. He understands that the other person is just pretending to care about him, and that it’s only “make believe.”
The chorus of the song is perhaps the most famous part:
“My one and only prayer
Is that someday you’ll care
My hopes, my dreams come true
My one and only you”
The narrator is expressing his deepest desire that the other person will start to care about him in the same way that he cares about her. He wants his dreams to come true, and he sees this person as his “one and only.”
In the second verse, the narrator reveals just how deeply he feels:
“No more, no more to misery
No more to loneliness and pain
I’ll never, never be the same
Oh, darling, if you only knew”
He doesn’t want to feel miserable or alone anymore, and he sees this person as the answer to all of his problems. He believes that if she only knew how much he loved her, everything would be different.
The Message of the Song
The message of “It’s Only Make Believe” is a universal one. It’s about unrequited love, and the pain and heartache that can come with it. It’s about the hope that one day the other person will feel the same way, and the sadness that comes from knowing that it might never happen. The song speaks to anyone who has ever been in love with someone who didn’t love them back, and it captures the raw emotion and vulnerability of that experience.
The Legacy of the Song
“It’s Only Make Believe” has become one of the most famous songs in country music history. It peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1958, and it has been covered by countless artists over the years. In addition to its success on the charts, the song has also been featured in numerous TV shows and movies, cementing its place in popular culture. It remains a beloved classic to this day.
The Cultural Impact of the Song
“It’s Only Make Believe” was released during a time when rock and roll was beginning to take over the music scene. However, the song helped to solidify Twitty’s status as a country music superstar. It was an important milestone for him, and it helped to establish the genre of country pop, which combines elements of country music with mainstream pop.
The song also helped to pave the way for other country artists to cross over into the mainstream. It proved that country music had a place in popular music, and it helped to broaden the appeal of the genre. It remains a testament to Twitty’s talent and his undeniable influence on country music.
The Impact of the Song on Fans
For many fans of Conway Twitty and country music in general, “It’s Only Make Believe” holds a special place in their hearts. It’s a song that speaks to the universal experience of love and heartbreak, and it resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds. The song has the ability to transport listeners back to a simpler time, or to remind them of their own experiences with unrequited love. It remains a beloved classic that will continue to be cherished for generations to come.
FAQs About “It’s Only Make Believe”
1. Who wrote “It’s Only Make Believe?”
Conway Twitty wrote the song, along with Jack Nance, a musician who worked for Twitty’s record label.
2. When was “It’s Only Make Believe” released?
The song was released in 1958.
3. What inspired Twitty to write the song?
The song was inspired by a woman who turned down Twitty for a date. He went home and wrote the song as a way to express his feelings.
4. What is the song about?
The song is about unrequited love and the pain and sadness that can come with it.
5. What message does the song convey?
The song speaks to anyone who has ever been in love with someone who didn’t love them back. It captures the raw emotion and vulnerability of that experience.
6. What is the legacy of “It’s Only Make Believe?”
The song has become one of the most famous songs in country music history. It remains a beloved classic to this day.
7. What impact did the song have on country music?
The song helped to establish the genre of country pop, which combines elements of country music with mainstream pop. It helped to broaden the appeal of country music.
8. What impact did the song have on fans?
The song has the ability to transport listeners back to a simpler time, or to remind them of their own experiences with unrequited love. It remains a beloved classic that will continue to be cherished for generations to come.
9. How did the song contribute to Twitty’s career?
The song was an important milestone for Twitty, and it helped to solidify his status as a country music superstar.
10. Has the song been covered by other artists?
Yes, the song has been covered by countless artists over the years.
11. Has the song been used in movies or TV shows?
Yes, the song has been featured in numerous TV shows and movies, cementing its place in popular culture.
12. What is the significance of the song’s chorus?
The chorus is perhaps the most famous part of the song. It expresses the narrator’s deepest desire that the other person will start to care about him in the same way that he cares about her.
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