Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of April 13, 1968
The Billboard Hot 100 for April 13, 1968 delivered one of the year’s most dramatic chart stories. Bobby Goldsboro’s emotional ballad Honey rocketed from number ten all the way to number one in just its fourth week on the chart. The sudden rise reflected the song’s enormous popularity with radio audiences and record buyers, making it one of the fastest-moving hits of the spring.
While Honey claimed the top spot, several of the year’s biggest records remained firmly entrenched near the summit. Gary Puckett and The Union Gap held at number two with Young Girl, while Otis Redding’s (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay slipped to number three after an impressive run at number one. Together, the three songs represented very different musical styles, highlighting the diversity that defined the late 1960s.
The remainder of the Top 5 reflected the strength of soul and pop music during this period. The Box Tops continued climbing with Cry Like A Baby, while Aretha Franklin maintained her place among the chart’s elite with (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone. Meanwhile, The Beatles, The Delfonics, and Manfred Mann all remained within striking distance of the upper tier.
Looking back, this chart stands as a snapshot of a rapidly changing musical landscape. Established favorites were beginning to give way to newer hits, and the competition for the number one position was becoming increasingly intense as 1968 moved into spring.
Top 5 Songs (April 13, 1968)
1. Honey – Bobby Goldsboro
Honey surged from number ten to number one in one of the year’s most remarkable chart moves. The song’s emotional story and heartfelt delivery immediately connected with listeners, helping it become a nationwide phenomenon almost overnight.
Bobby Goldsboro’s performance captured both tenderness and heartbreak, creating a deeply personal listening experience. The song’s narrative approach distinguished it from many contemporary hits and helped make it one of the most talked-about records of 1968.
Its dramatic leap to the top demonstrated just how powerful a well-told story could be. For millions of listeners, Honey was more than a song—it was an emotional experience that lingered long after the record ended.
2. Young Girl – The Union Gap Featuring Gary Puckett
Holding steady at number two, Young Girl continued to establish itself as one of the biggest records of the year. Gary Puckett’s commanding vocal performance gave the song a dramatic intensity that helped separate it from other contemporary hits.
The song’s memorable melody and emotional subject matter resonated strongly with audiences. Its continued presence near the top suggested that it remained a serious contender despite the arrival of a new number one record.
By mid-April, it had become one of the most recognizable songs on American radio and further strengthened The Union Gap’s position among the era’s leading groups.
3. (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay – Otis Redding
After four weeks at number one, Otis Redding’s masterpiece slipped to number three. Despite the drop, (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay remained one of the most influential and admired records on the chart.
The song’s reflective mood and understated production continued to stand apart from many of its contemporaries. Its emotional honesty helped create a lasting connection with listeners that extended well beyond its chart performance.
Even as newer songs climbed the rankings, the record’s legacy was already secure. It remains one of the defining recordings of both 1968 and the soul music era as a whole.
4. Cry Like A Baby – The Box Tops
The Box Tops climbed into the number four position with Cry Like A Baby, continuing their successful run of blue-eyed soul hits. Led by Alex Chilton’s distinctive vocals, the group delivered another memorable performance that resonated with audiences.
The song blended soulful influences with pop accessibility, creating a sound that fit comfortably on a wide range of radio stations. Its strong melody and emotional delivery helped fuel its steady climb.
As it moved higher on the chart, it became clear that Cry Like A Baby would be one of the standout hits of the spring season.
5. (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone – Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin remained at number five with another powerful performance. (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone showcased the vocal authority and emotional depth that had already made her one of the most important artists of the decade.
Her ability to combine gospel intensity with mainstream appeal continued to set her apart from nearly every other performer on the chart. Every note carried conviction, making the song both memorable and emotionally compelling.
The record’s continued success reinforced Franklin’s status as one of the dominant voices of the late 1960s and helped solidify her remarkable streak of hit records.
More Weeks at #1 for “Honey”
This song spent multiple weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Explore each chart week below:
🎂 What Was the #1 Song on Your Birthday?
If you were born during the week ending April 13, 1968, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Honey by Bobby Goldsboro
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Born in the 60s? Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- Honey – Bobby Goldsboro
- Young Girl – The Union Gap Featuring Gary Puckett
- (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay – Otis Redding
- Cry Like A Baby – The Box Tops
- (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone – Aretha Franklin
- Lady Madonna – The Beatles
- The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde – Georgie Fame
- La – La – Means I Love You – The Delfonics
- Valleri – The Monkees
- Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo) – Manfred Mann
Chart Movers This Week
Looking Back at April 1968
The April 13, 1968 chart demonstrates how quickly fortunes could change on the Billboard Hot 100. Bobby Goldsboro’s leap to number one showed the power of a song that connected emotionally with listeners, while established favorites such as Young Girl and (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay continued to attract massive audiences.
The chart also highlighted the incredible range of popular music during the period. Soul, story songs, British rock, and pop harmony groups all found success simultaneously, creating one of the most diverse musical environments in chart history.
Viewed today, this week serves as an excellent snapshot of a vibrant era in popular music. The records featured here continue to endure because they captured the emotion, creativity, and variety that made 1968 such a remarkable year on the Billboard Hot 100.
