Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of April 20, 1968
By the third week of April 1968, the Billboard Hot 100 was beginning to reflect the changing sound of popular music. While emotional ballads and polished pop productions continued to dominate the upper reaches of the chart, soul music was growing stronger every week, and new musical styles were starting to gain mainstream attention. The chart combined established stars, rising acts, and several records that would become lasting classics.
At number one, Bobby Goldsboro’s Honey remained firmly in control after its dramatic jump to the top the previous week. The sentimental story song had struck a powerful emotional chord with listeners and quickly became one of the year’s biggest records. Behind it, Gary Puckett and The Union Gap continued their impressive run with Young Girl, while The Box Tops moved into the Top 3 with Cry Like A Baby.
The Beatles remained a major force with Lady Madonna, which climbed to a new peak position this week. Aretha Franklin continued her remarkable string of hits, and just outside the Top 5, Otis Redding’s (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay remained one of the most beloved records in America despite slipping down the chart after its stay at number one.
Looking back today, this chart captures a fascinating moment between musical eras. Traditional pop songwriting still thrived, but soul, funk, and more adventurous sounds were rapidly gaining ground, setting the stage for the remainder of 1968.
Top 5 Songs (April 20, 1968)
1. Honey – Bobby Goldsboro
Honey remained the number one song in America for a second consecutive week. Its emotional narrative and heartfelt performance continued to resonate deeply with audiences, helping it maintain a strong grip on the top position.
Bobby Goldsboro delivered the song with remarkable sincerity, allowing listeners to connect with its story on a personal level. At a time when rock music was becoming increasingly experimental, Honey proved that a simple and emotionally powerful song could still dominate popular music.
The record’s success reflected its universal themes of love, loss, and remembrance. It quickly became one of the most memorable chart-toppers of 1968 and remains strongly associated with the era.
2. Young Girl – The Union Gap Featuring Gary Puckett
Holding steady at number two, Young Girl continued its run as one of the biggest records of the spring. Gary Puckett’s commanding vocal performance remained one of the song’s defining strengths.
The dramatic lyrics and memorable melody helped separate the record from many of its competitors. Its emotional intensity gave it a distinctive identity on radio playlists crowded with love songs and pop hits.
Although it had not yet reached number one, its continued presence near the top demonstrated its enormous popularity with listeners across the country.
3. Cry Like A Baby – The Box Tops
The Box Tops climbed another spot this week, moving from number four to number three. Cry Like A Baby showcased the group’s ability to blend soulful influences with mainstream pop appeal.
Alex Chilton’s distinctive lead vocal gave the record an emotional edge that helped it stand out. The song’s strong melody and polished production made it one of the most radio-friendly records of the spring season.
Its continued ascent suggested that even bigger chart success could still be ahead. By late April, it had become one of the strongest contenders among the rising hits of 1968.
4. Lady Madonna – The Beatles
The Beatles climbed to a new peak position this week as Lady Madonna reached number four. The song combined elements of rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and classic Beatles songwriting into another memorable hit.
Driven by its distinctive piano riff and energetic vocal performance, the record demonstrated the group’s ability to evolve while still delivering music with broad commercial appeal. Even during a period of significant musical change, The Beatles remained among the most influential artists in the world.
The song’s continued rise reinforced their remarkable consistency and reminded listeners why they remained the dominant act of the decade.
5. (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone – Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin held steady at number five with another exceptional vocal performance. (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone continued to showcase the qualities that made her one of the most important voices in popular music.
Her blend of gospel passion, soul intensity, and emotional honesty created a recording that felt both powerful and deeply personal. Few artists could communicate feeling as effectively as Franklin.
The song’s continued Top 5 presence reflected her growing influence on American music and her remarkable run of successful recordings during the late 1960s.
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 20, 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
- Cry Like A Baby – The Box Tops
- Lady Madonna – The Beatles
- (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone – Aretha Franklin
- (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay – Otis Redding
- The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde – Georgie Fame
- Dance To The Music – Sly & The Family Stone
- I Got The Feelin’ – James Brown And The Famous Flames
- Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo) – Manfred Mann
Chart Movers This Week
Looking Back at April 1968
The April 20, 1968 chart highlights a music industry in transition. Traditional pop ballads such as Honey remained enormously successful, while soul artists like Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding continued to reshape popular music with emotionally powerful performances.
The presence of The Beatles, Gary Puckett and The Union Gap, and The Box Tops demonstrated the continued strength of melodic pop and rock music. Meanwhile, the arrival of Sly & The Family Stone’s Dance To The Music in the Top 10 hinted at new musical directions that would soon have a major impact on the charts.
Viewed today, this week serves as a snapshot of a pivotal period in popular music history. The songs featured here capture both the final years of traditional 1960s pop and the emerging sounds that would define the years ahead.
