Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of April 27, 1968
As April 1968 drew to a close, the Billboard Hot 100 continued to showcase one of the most diverse collections of music in the decade. Story songs, blue-eyed soul, British rock, Motown-inspired hits, and emerging funk influences all shared space within the Top 10. The chart reflected an industry that was changing rapidly while still rewarding strong melodies and emotional performances.
Bobby Goldsboro’s Honey remained the nation’s number one song for a third consecutive week. Its heartfelt narrative continued to connect with listeners and showed no signs of slowing down. Just behind it, The Box Tops made a significant move with Cry Like A Baby, climbing to a new peak at number two and becoming the strongest challenger to Goldsboro’s chart dominance.
Gary Puckett and The Union Gap remained firmly in contention with Young Girl, while The Beatles held their position with Lady Madonna. Aretha Franklin continued her impressive run of hits with (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone, proving once again that she was among the most powerful voices in popular music.
The chart also hinted at future developments. James Brown’s I Got The Feelin’ and Archie Bell & The Drells’ Tighten Up were bringing funk and dance-oriented sounds into the mainstream, helping shape the musical direction that would define the years ahead.
Top 5 Songs (April 27, 1968)
1. Honey – Bobby Goldsboro
Honey remained at number one for a third week, continuing one of the year’s most remarkable chart runs. Its emotional storytelling and deeply personal tone resonated with listeners in a way few songs could match.
Bobby Goldsboro’s sincere performance gave the song an authenticity that helped elevate it beyond a typical pop ballad. The record’s success demonstrated that audiences still responded strongly to songs built around narrative and emotion.
By late April, Honey had become one of the defining hits of 1968. Its popularity extended far beyond the charts, making it one of the most discussed and remembered songs of the year.
2. Cry Like A Baby – The Box Tops
The Box Tops climbed to number two this week, giving Cry Like A Baby its highest chart position yet. The song combined soulful influences with mainstream pop appeal, creating a record that connected with a wide audience.
Alex Chilton’s distinctive vocal delivery remained one of the record’s strongest assets. His ability to convey emotion helped the song stand apart from many of its contemporaries and gave it a memorable identity.
Its continued rise suggested that it still had momentum on its side. As April came to an end, it had emerged as the most serious challenger to the chart leader.
3. Young Girl – The Union Gap Featuring Gary Puckett
After spending several weeks near the top, Young Girl slipped one position to number three. Despite the slight decline, it remained one of the biggest and most recognizable records in the country.
Gary Puckett’s powerful vocal performance continued to be the song’s defining feature. Combined with its dramatic lyrics and memorable melody, it created a record that stood out on radio playlists.
Its sustained success demonstrated the broad appeal of emotionally charged pop music during one of the most competitive chart periods of the decade.
4. Lady Madonna – The Beatles
The Beatles remained at number four with Lady Madonna. The record showcased the group’s ability to draw inspiration from earlier musical styles while still sounding fresh and contemporary.
The song’s driving piano riff and energetic performance helped it become an immediate favorite among fans. Even as musical tastes evolved, The Beatles continued to demonstrate why they remained the most influential band in popular music.
Its continued presence in the Top 5 highlighted the group’s remarkable consistency and their ability to compete successfully in a rapidly changing musical landscape.
5. (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone – Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin held steady at number five for another week. (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone continued to showcase the vocal power and emotional intensity that had already made her one of the most important artists of the era.
Franklin’s unique ability to blend gospel, soul, and pop influences allowed her to connect with a broad audience while maintaining her artistic identity. Few singers could deliver a performance with such conviction and authenticity.
The song’s continued success reinforced her position among the elite performers of the late 1960s and helped extend one of the most impressive hit streaks in popular music.
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 27, 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
- Cry Like A Baby – The Box Tops
- Young Girl – The Union Gap Featuring Gary Puckett
- Lady Madonna – The Beatles
- (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone – Aretha Franklin
- I Got The Feelin’ – James Brown And The Famous Flames
- (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay – Otis Redding
- Dance To The Music – Sly & The Family Stone
- Tighten Up – Archie Bell & The Drells
- The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde – Georgie Fame
Chart Movers This Week
Looking Back at April 1968
The April 27, 1968 chart captures a fascinating blend of musical styles. Traditional pop storytelling remained strong through Honey, while soul, rock, and emerging funk sounds continued gaining momentum. The variety found within the Top 10 demonstrates just how broad the popular music audience had become.
Several future classics were also establishing themselves during this period. Records by The Beatles, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Sly & The Family Stone represented artists who would continue shaping music for years to come. Meanwhile, newer arrivals such as Tighten Up hinted at the growing influence of dance-oriented records.
Viewed today, this chart stands as an excellent snapshot of a pivotal moment in music history. It captures both the final years of traditional 1960s pop and the beginnings of the sounds that would dominate the remainder of the decade.
