Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of June 15, 1968
By mid-June 1968, the Billboard Hot 100 reflected a fascinating musical crossroads. Established hits remained strong at the top, but several fast-rising records were positioning themselves for a summer takeover. Folk-rock, bubblegum pop, sophisticated adult contemporary ballads, and ambitious orchestral recordings all shared space on one of the most diverse charts of the decade.
For the third consecutive week, Simon & Garfunkel held the number one position with Mrs. Robinson, a song that had become both a commercial powerhouse and a cultural landmark. Its success was fueled by its association with the film The Graduate, but its enduring popularity came from its intelligent lyrics and memorable melody. Behind it, Herb Alpert’s This Guy’s In Love With You continued a rapid climb and appeared poised to challenge for the top spot.
Meanwhile, Tommy James & The Shondells reached a new peak with Mony Mony, while Ohio Express brought bubblegum pop into the Top 5 with Yummy Yummy Yummy. Richard Harris’s dramatic and unconventional MacArthur Park completed the upper tier, proving that lengthy and ambitious recordings could still find a large audience.
The lower half of the Top 10 featured a mix of soul, pop, and instrumental hits, including Aretha Franklin’s powerful Think and Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66’s elegant interpretation of The Look Of Love. Together, these songs created a chart that showcased both the creativity and diversity of popular music in 1968.
Top 5 Songs (June 15, 1968)
1. Mrs. Robinson – Simon & Garfunkel
Mrs. Robinson remained America’s number one song for a third straight week. Simon & Garfunkel had successfully blended thoughtful songwriting with mainstream appeal, creating a record that resonated across generations.
The song’s distinctive acoustic arrangement and clever lyrics helped it stand apart from other records on the chart. Listeners connected with both its memorable melody and its deeper themes, making it one of the defining songs of 1968.
Its continued dominance demonstrated the growing influence of singer-songwriters and more sophisticated lyrical content in popular music.
2. This Guy’s In Love With You – Herb Alpert
Herb Alpert climbed another step to number two with one of the year’s most elegant and romantic recordings. Best known as a trumpet player and bandleader, Alpert surprised many listeners with his warm and understated vocal performance.
The song’s sophisticated arrangement and heartfelt delivery appealed to adult listeners while remaining accessible to younger audiences. It offered a calm contrast to many of the louder and more energetic songs climbing the charts.
Its rapid ascent suggested that a move to number one was becoming increasingly likely.
3. Mony Mony – Tommy James And The Shondells
Tommy James & The Shondells continued their climb with the energetic Mony Mony. The song’s driving rhythm, powerful vocals, and unforgettable chorus made it one of the most exciting records on radio.
The group had already established themselves as hitmakers, but this record showcased their ability to combine rock energy with broad commercial appeal. Audiences responded enthusiastically to its infectious spirit.
By reaching number three, the song positioned itself as a serious contender for even greater chart success.
4. Yummy Yummy Yummy – Ohio Express
Ohio Express climbed into the Top 5 with one of the quintessential bubblegum pop hits of the era. Yummy Yummy Yummy was built around a simple hook and a playful spirit that proved irresistible to young listeners.
The song reflected the growing popularity of bubblegum music, a genre specifically designed to be catchy, fun, and easy to sing along with. Its upbeat energy made it a perfect fit for summer radio.
While critics sometimes dismissed the style, the record’s chart performance showed just how popular it was with the public.
5. MacArthur Park – Richard Harris
Richard Harris reached the Top 5 with one of the most ambitious singles of the decade. Written by Jimmy Webb, MacArthur Park broke many traditional pop conventions with its length, structure, and dramatic storytelling.
The song’s sweeping orchestration and emotional intensity created a listening experience unlike anything else on the chart. It challenged listeners while still managing to achieve remarkable commercial success.
Its rise demonstrated that audiences in 1968 were increasingly open to experimentation and more sophisticated musical arrangements.
More Weeks at #1 for “Mrs. Robinson”
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 June 15, 1968, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Mrs. Robinson by Simon & Garfunkel
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Born in the 60s? Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- Mrs. Robinson – Simon & Garfunkel
- This Guy’s In Love With You – Herb Alpert
- Mony Mony – Tommy James And The Shondells
- Yummy Yummy Yummy – Ohio Express
- MacArthur Park – Richard Harris
- Tighten Up – Archie Bell & The Drells
- Think – Aretha Franklin
- A Beautiful Morning – The Rascals
- The Good, The Bad And The Ugly – Hugo Montenegro, His Orchestra And Chorus
- The Look Of Love – Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66
Chart Movers This Week
Looking Back at June 1968
The June 15, 1968 chart captures a period when popular music was expanding in every direction. Bubblegum pop, folk-rock, orchestral instrumentals, sophisticated ballads, and experimental compositions all found success simultaneously.
Simon & Garfunkel’s continued reign at number one highlighted the growing influence of thoughtful songwriting, while the rapid rise of Herb Alpert and Richard Harris demonstrated that listeners were embracing a wider variety of sounds than ever before.
Looking back today, this chart serves as a reminder of just how diverse and creative the late 1960s had become. The records featured here helped shape the musical landscape of the era and remain enduring favorites more than half a century later.
