Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters was an American band assembled by singer Cly… Read Full Bio ↴Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters was an American band assembled by singer Clyde McPhatter in 1953. In late 1954, McPhatter was inducted into the U.S. Army and, after his tour of duty, left The Drifters to follow a solo career.

I Make Believe
Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters Lyrics

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In the land of make believe
You're mine tonight although you are far away
In the land of make believe
I'm holding you tight

The silver moon is shining above
And there's love in your eyes
And I'm kissing you like I used to do

Yesterday in paradise

I've been livin' in the land of make believe
Since you've been gone
I need you so much that without your love
I must deceive myself to go on

Your loving hand caresses my face
We embrace tenderly
Never will we part, deep down in my heart
You are always here with me

You are always here with me
In the land of make believe
In the land of make believe
In the land of make believe

Your loving hand caresses my face
We embrace tenderly
Never will we part, deep down in my heart
You are always here with me

You are always here with me
In the land of make believe
In the land of make believe

In the land of make believe
In the land of make believe

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "I Make Believe" by Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters depict a longing for a loved one who is physically distant. The essence of the song is rooted in the idea of escaping to a fantasy world, a "land of make believe," where the singer can temporarily be with their beloved. Despite the physical separation, the lyrics convey a deep emotional connection and a strong desire to hold onto the memories of love. In this imaginary world, the silver moon creates a romantic ambiance, and the singer reminisces about past moments of affection, harkening back to a time when they were together in paradise.

The chorus further emphasizes the theme of pretending and deceiving oneself to cope with the absence of the loved one. The singer is living in this imaginary world since the departure of their beloved, highlighting the desperate need for their love. Without it, they must resort to pretending, deceiving themselves to continue on their own.

The line "You are always here with me" speaks to the power of love and the ability for memories and feelings to transcend physical distance. Despite being apart, the singer believes that their significant other is still present in their heart and their imagination.

Overall, "I Make Believe" explores the concept of longing, nostalgia, and the human desire to escape reality by creating an alternate world where love can be cherished and maintained, even when the person is far away.

Line by Line Meaning

In the land of make believe
In a realm of imagination and fantasy

You're mine tonight although you are far away
Despite the physical distance, I imagine you to be mine tonight

I'm holding you tight
I mentally embrace you closely

The silver moon is shining above
The moonlight illuminates the scene

And there's love in your eyes
I perceive affection in your gaze

And I'm kissing you like I used to do
In my mind, I recreate our past kisses

Yesterday in paradise
Recalling a joyful time in the past

I've been livin' in the land of make believe
I have been residing in this world of fantasy

Since you've been gone
Since your departure from my life

I need you so much that without your love
Your love is crucial for my well-being

I must deceive myself to go on
I have to trick myself to continue living