“Making Believe” is a timeless country song in my eyes.
The song was initially written and recorded by Jimmy Work in 1955, however Kitty Wells released a near chart-topping version just a month later.
Since then, the song has been covered by several artists over the years including greats like Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, and more, as well as punk band Social Distortion, and metal act, Volbeat.
Still, arguably the most famous cover of the tune is done by Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn.
During an episode of The George Jones Show, Vince Gill and Patty Loveless delivered their version of the melancholy love song.
During the gallery of pictures segment, the two look at the images next to the stage of, Jones with many of his well-loved colleagues.
As they admire the image of Jones with Conway Twitty, Loveless shares that she saw Loretta Lynn and Twitty on stage together, which was fantastic.
Vince suggests:
“Let’s sing one of their songs.”
Loveless replies:
“I’d love to.”
With that, the intro to “Making Believe strikes up.
Vince Gill and Patty Loveless’ voices mesh perfectly during the harmony-heavy song. They both sing the song with such passion it’s like they are living the lyrics themselves, especially when the chorus comes around.
“Making believe, I’ll spend my lifetime
Loving you and making believe…”
The sad tune of heartbreak and ‘making believe’ that your lost love will come back eventually is the foundation of a great sad country song.
Patty Loveless and Vince Gill never recorded a studio version of this tune, but now that Loveless has stepped back into the spotlight… I wouldn’t be opposed to a version of this coming out.
Here is Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty’s version too.
