Kitty Wells - Cowboys and Indians Magazine

About the Song

“Making Believe” by Kitty Wells is a classic country song from 1955 that tells the story of a heartbroken woman. Here’s a breakdown of the song’s themes:

Heartbreak and Denial: The lyrics paint a picture of a woman clinging to the memory of a love that’s gone. She “makes believe” that her lover still loves her, even though she knows it’s not true. This denial is a common coping mechanism for dealing with heartbreak.

Lost Dreams and Unfulfilled Plans: The song talks about “plans for the future” that will never come true. This highlights the sense of loss and disappointment that accompanies a broken relationship.

Yearning and Longing: Despite the heartbreak, the woman can’t stop loving her ex. The lyrics “Spending my lifetime loving you, making believe” express a deep longing and a wish for things to be different.

The Power of Imagination: “Making Believe” shows how imagination can be a double-edged sword. While it offers solace by creating a fantasy world, it can also hinder the healing process by delaying acceptance of reality.

Here are some additional details that might pique your interest:

  • Kitty Wells: Often referred to as the “Queen of Country Music,” Wells was a pioneer for female artists in the genre. “Making Believe” was one of her biggest hits.
  • Musical Style: The song is a classic country ballad with a simple melody and a focus on storytelling. The steel guitar adds a melancholic touch.
  • Cultural Impact: “Making Believe” resonated with many listeners who had experienced heartbreak. It helped solidify country music’s ability to express emotional vulnerability.

Why Kitty Wells Matters - Gwarlingo

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Lyrics: Making Believe 

Making believe that you still love me
It’s leavin’ me alone and so blue
But I’ll always dream still I’ll never own you
Making believe it’s all I can doCan’t hold you close when you’re not with me
You’re somebody’s love you’ll never be mine
Making believe I’ll spend my lifetime
Loving you and making believe

Making believe that I never lost you
But my happy hours I find are so few
My plans for the future will never come true
Making believe what else can I do

Can’t hold you close when you’re not with me
You’re somebody’s love you’ll never be mine
Making believe I’ll spend my lifetime
Loving you and making believe

You Missed

SOME FRIENDSHIPS ARE WRITTEN IN SONGS… BUT ONLY A FEW BECOME FOREVER. There was something truly magical about the friendship between Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton — a bond that went far beyond the stage, the spotlight, and the music. In country music history, few duos ever captured the beauty of genuine connection the way they did. Their voices blended perfectly, but it was their friendship, respect, and love for each other that made every performance unforgettable. In 2013, they gave the world one final reminder of that special bond with “You Can’t Make Old Friends.” Nearly three decades after “Islands in the Stream” became a timeless classic, Kenny and Dolly returned together to create a song that felt less like a performance and more like a heartfelt conversation between two lifelong friends. Now, that song carries an even deeper meaning. Kenny Rogers left us in 2020… and today, the world says goodbye to Dolly Parton — two extraordinary souls who brought warmth, comfort, and joy to millions through their music. They were more than country music legends. They were storytellers, dreamers, and reminders that the greatest treasures in life are the friendships we build along the way. You can create many songs. You can create many memories. But **you can’t make old friends.** Some friendships are too special to disappear. They live forever in the melodies, the memories, and the hearts of everyone who was lucky enough to witness them. Rest peacefully, Kenny. Rest peacefully, Dolly. Thank you for giving us a lifetime of music, love, and unforgettable moments. The harmony you created together will continue to play forever.

Before he ever stepped up to center stage under his own name, Cal Smith spent years standing quietly in the shadows as a sideman, playing guitar behind country legend Ernest Tubb. Born Calvin Shofner in Oklahoma and raised in California, he paid his dues in clubs and on radio before joining the Texas Troubadours in the early 1960s, watching other stars soak up the applause while his own solo ambitions moved at a crawl. By 1972, Smith was well into his late thirties with little more than modest chart placings to show for his efforts. Everything flipped when fellow songwriter Bill Anderson handed him “The Lord Knows I’m Drinking,” a sharp track about a man taking heat from a churchgoer whose own hands weren’t exactly clean. The single struck a nerve, shooting straight to No. 1. The true lightning strike arrived soon after. In December 1973, Smith walked into Bradley’s Barn to lay down Don Wayne’s “Country Bumpkin.” Tracing an ordinary man’s journey through marriage, children, and the devastating loss of his wife, the song packed an entire lifetime into a few poignant verses and climbed to the top of the charts in 1974. The accolades poured in, sweeping Single Record and Song of the Year at the ACM Awards, alongside a CMA Song of the Year honor for the writing. Smith quickly proved he wasn’t a one-hit wonder by following up with another chart-topper, “It’s Time to Pay the Fiddler.” After more than a decade of holding down the rhythm section for everyone else, Cal Smith’s long-delayed moment in the sun finally arrived—forever stamping his voice onto one of the defining country anthems of the 1970s.