On This Day in 1958, Conway Twitty Reached No. 1 With a Hit That Changed Everything
On this day in 1958, music history quietly shifted when Conway Twitty found himself at the top of the charts with a song that almost never became a hit. At the time, Twitty was not yet the country music icon generations would later revere. Instead, he was a rising singer navigating the pop landscape, unaware that one unexpected No. 1 would lay the foundation for one of the most remarkable careers in American music. That moment, now etched into music history, reminds us how often destiny works behind the scenes—without planning, without hype, and sometimes purely by accident.
Background
In 1958, Conway Twitty reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with It’s Only Make Believe, a dramatic ballad filled with longing and emotional vulnerability. Co-written with drummer Jack Nance during a casual writing session, the song was never intended to be the centerpiece of Twitty’s career. In fact, it was released with modest expectations. What followed surprised everyone. Radio listeners across the country began requesting the song in droves, drawn to its heartfelt lyrics and Twitty’s rich, expressive voice. 📻✨
An intriguing detail few fans know: many listeners initially believed the singer was Elvis Presley. The resemblance in vocal tone sparked rumors across radio stations, unintentionally fueling the song’s popularity and accelerating its rise up the charts.
Introduction
What truly set It’s Only Make Believe apart was its emotional honesty. The song tells the story of unreturned love—a theme that resonated deeply with adult listeners in the late 1950s, particularly those who had lived through love, loss, and quiet heartache. Twitty’s delivery felt personal, almost confessional, making audiences believe every word. There was no flashy production, no gimmicks—just a voice, a melody, and a feeling that lingered long after the song ended.
This accidental No. 1 became a turning point. While It’s Only Make Believe was rooted in pop, it showcased the emotional storytelling that would later define Conway Twitty’s legendary country career. Over time, Twitty transitioned fully into country music, where he would go on to earn more No. 1 hits than almost any other artist in the genre. Yet for many longtime fans, especially middle-aged and older listeners, this 1958 breakthrough remains a powerful memory—one that evokes first loves, late-night radio, and a simpler era of American music. 💔🎵
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
People see us everywhereThey think you really careBut myself I can’t deceiveI know it’s only make-believePa-pa-pa, pa-pa-pa, pa-pa-paPa-pa-pa, pa-pa-pa, bye-ohMy one and only prayerIs that some day you’ll careMy hopes, my dreams come trueMy one and only youNo one will ever knowHow much I love you soMy only prayer will beSome day you’ll care for meBut it’s only make-believeMy hopes, my dreams come trueMy life, I’d give for youMy heart, a wedding ringMy all, my everythingMy heart, I can’t controlYou rule my very soulMy only prayer will beSome day you’ll care for meBut it’s only make-believeMy one and only prayerIs that some day you’ll careMy hopes, my dreams come trueMy one and only youNo one will ever knowHow much I love you soMy only prayer will be some day you’ll care for meBut it’s only make believe (make believe)