“It’s Only Make Believe” is one of Conway Twitty’s most iconic songs, originally released in 1958.
However, the duet version with Loretta Lynn adds an extra layer of emotional depth and complexity to the song.
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About the song
This version, performed by two of country music’s most beloved voices, transforms the original rockabilly hit into a powerful country ballad that delves into themes of unrequited love and the pain of pretending that a one-sided love is mutual.
The lyrics of “It’s Only Make Believe” tell the story of someone who is deeply in love but realizes that the relationship is not based on mutual feelings.
The singer confesses that, despite appearances, the love they are experiencing is just a facade—nothing more than make-believe.
This realization brings about a profound sense of sadness, as they wish that the love they feel could be real, but they know deep down that it is not.
The duet version with Loretta Lynn adds a dynamic dialogue between the two singers, with each voice representing different sides of the same emotional struggle.
Their voices blend beautifully, creating a haunting harmony that underscores the song’s theme of longing and disappointment.
Musically, the duet is characterized by a traditional country arrangement, with gentle guitar strums and a slow, deliberate tempo that allows the emotions of the lyrics to take center stage.
The song’s melancholic melody is perfectly suited to Twitty and Lynn’s vocal styles, which are both rich and expressive.
Their delivery is full of emotion, with each note conveying the heartache and vulnerability that comes with loving someone who doesn’t truly love you back.
The simplicity of the instrumentation allows the focus to remain on the powerful vocals and the story they tell.
One of the most compelling aspects of the duet is the way it emphasizes the shared experience of unrequited love.
Both Twitty and Lynn bring their unique emotional depth to the song, making it feel like a conversation between two people who are both struggling with the same heartache.
The duet version of “It’s Only Make Believe” speaks to the universal experience of wanting something so desperately, yet knowing that it can never be.
The interplay between the two voices adds a layer of complexity to the song, making it feel even more poignant and relatable.
“It’s Only Make Believe” by Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn is a masterful duet that transforms the original hit into a deeply emotional country ballad.
The song’s exploration of unrequited love, combined with the powerful vocal performances of Twitty and Lynn, creates a hauntingly beautiful piece that continues to resonate with listeners.
Their voices, full of emotion and vulnerability, bring the lyrics to life in a way that is both timeless and universally relatable.
This duet remains a standout in both artists’ discographies and a testament to their incredible talent and ability to connect with audiences on a profound emotional level.
Video
Lyrics
“It’s Only Make Believe”
(originally by Conway Twitty)
They all think we really care
But myself I can’t deceive
I know it’s only make believe.
My one and only prayer
Is that some day you’ll care
My hopes my dreams come true
My one and only you.
No one will ever know
How much I love you so
My only prayer will be some day you’ll care for me
But it’s only make believe.
My hopes my dreams come true
My life I give for you
My heart or wedding ring
My all my everything.
My heart I can’t control
You lure my very soul
My only prayer will be some day you’ll care for me
But it’s only make believe.
My one and only prayer
Is that some day you’ll care
My hopes, my dreams come true
My one and only you.
No one will ever know
How much I love you so
My plans, my hopes, my schemes
You are my every dream
But it’s only make believe…
