Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of July 27, 1968
As July 1968 drew to a close, the Billboard Hot 100 reflected a summer filled with musical diversity. Instrumentals, sunshine pop, psychedelic rock, and soulful vocal harmonies all shared space on the same chart. While many of the year’s biggest records continued their strong runs, several rising songs hinted at even bigger changes ahead as the calendar moved toward August.
For the second consecutive week, Hugh Masekela’s joyful instrumental Grazing In The Grass held the number one position. Its upbeat rhythm and memorable trumpet melody had made it one of the surprise success stories of the year. Close behind, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap remained at number two with Lady Willpower, while The 5th Dimension surged into third place with the sophisticated and soulful Stoned Soul Picnic.
The chart also showcased the continuing strength of rock music. The Rolling Stones remained in the Top 5 with Jumpin’ Jack Flash, while Donovan’s Hurdy Gurdy Man and The Doors’ Hello, I Love You continued climbing. Meanwhile, former chart-toppers such as Herb Alpert’s This Guy’s In Love With You and Cliff Nobles & Co.’s The Horse demonstrated impressive staying power.
This week serves as a perfect snapshot of late-1960s radio, where listeners could hear orchestral instrumentals, psychedelic rock, folk influences, soul harmonies, and polished pop all within the same hour. It was a remarkable period of musical creativity and variety.
Top 5 Songs (July 27, 1968)
1. Grazing In The Grass – Hugh Masekela
Hugh Masekela remained atop the Billboard Hot 100 with one of the most infectious instrumentals of the decade. The South African trumpeter created a record that felt perfectly suited for the carefree spirit of summer.
Unlike many chart-topping songs of the era, Grazing In The Grass relied entirely on its melody and groove rather than lyrics. Its bright trumpet lines and irresistible rhythm made it a favorite among radio listeners of all ages.
The song’s continued success proved that instrumental music could still compete at the highest levels of popular music during the late 1960s.
2. Lady Willpower – Gary Puckett And The Union Gap
Gary Puckett and the Union Gap held firmly at number two with another dramatic pop performance. The group’s blend of emotional storytelling and polished production had become a winning formula.
Puckett’s distinctive voice gave the song its emotional weight, while the arrangement balanced orchestral sophistication with contemporary pop appeal. Listeners continued to respond to its heartfelt message.
Its position near the top suggested it remained a serious contender for even greater chart success.
3. Stoned Soul Picnic – The 5th Dimension
The 5th Dimension made one of the week’s biggest moves, climbing from number six to number three. Their sophisticated vocal harmonies and contemporary sound helped distinguish them from many other groups on the radio.
Written by Laura Nyro, the song blended pop, soul, and jazz influences into a uniquely modern recording. The group’s smooth performance brought the composition to a broad audience.
Its rapid rise reflected both the quality of the song and the growing popularity of The 5th Dimension.
4. Jumpin’ Jack Flash – The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones slipped one position but remained one of the strongest rock forces on the chart. Jumpin’ Jack Flash had already become one of the defining rock records of 1968.
The song’s aggressive guitar work and confident attitude captured the essence of the Stones at their best. It appealed to both longtime fans and a younger audience increasingly drawn to harder-edged rock music.
Even without reaching number one, its cultural impact was already undeniable.
5. The Horse – Cliff Nobles & Co.
After spending weeks near the summit, The Horse continued to show impressive staying power. The instrumental remained one of the most recognizable records of the summer.
Its energetic horn arrangement and danceable groove helped it cross genre boundaries, attracting fans from pop, soul, and R&B audiences alike. Few instrumentals enjoyed this level of chart success during the era.
Ten weeks into its run, it remained one of the year’s most memorable hits.
More Weeks at #1 for “Grazing in the Grass”
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 July 27, 1968, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Grazing in the Grass by Hugh Masekela
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Born in the 60s? Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- Grazing In The Grass – Hugh Masekela
- Lady Willpower – Gary Puckett And The Union Gap
- Stoned Soul Picnic – The 5th Dimension
- Jumpin’ Jack Flash – The Rolling Stones
- The Horse – Cliff Nobles & Co.
- Hurdy Gurdy Man – Donovan
- This Guy’s In Love With You – Herb Alpert
- Classical Gas – Mason Williams
- Hello, I Love You – The Doors
- Indian Lake – The Cowsills
Chart Movers This Week
Looking Back at July 1968
The July 27, 1968 chart demonstrates just how broad popular music had become by the late 1960s. Instrumentals like Grazing In The Grass and The Horse shared chart space with sophisticated vocal groups, hard-rocking British bands, and emerging psychedelic influences.
The rise of Stoned Soul Picnic reflected the growing popularity of genre-blending music, while songs by Donovan and The Doors hinted at the more adventurous sounds that would continue shaping popular music in the years ahead.
Looking back today, this chart stands as a fascinating snapshot of a summer when creativity flourished and listeners embraced an unusually wide variety of musical styles. The records featured here remain some of the most enduring and beloved hits of 1968.
