Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of March 2, 1968
As March 1968 began, the Billboard Hot 100 reflected a fascinating blend of established hits and rapidly rising future classics. Instrumental music continued to hold the top spot, while soul, movie themes, bubblegum pop, and psychedelic rock all competed for listeners’ attention. Few periods in chart history offered such a wide variety of sounds within the Top 10.
For a fourth consecutive week, Paul Mauriat And His Orchestra remained at number one with Love Is Blue (L’amour Est Bleu). The instrumental smash had become one of the most unexpected success stories of the decade, proving that a memorable melody could still dominate the charts during the rock era. Meanwhile, Dionne Warwick continued her climb with (Theme From) Valley Of The Dolls, and Otis Redding’s (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay moved into the Top 3, signaling that an even bigger chart story was beginning to unfold.
The chart also showcased the growing popularity of lighter, youthful pop records. The 1910 Fruitgum Co. entered the Top 5 with Simon Says, while The Temptations maintained a strong presence with I Wish It Would Rain. Just outside the Top 5, Kenny Rogers and The First Edition were making a major move with Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In), one of the era’s most distinctive psychedelic recordings.
Looking back, this chart serves as a snapshot of a music industry that was rapidly expanding its creative boundaries. Traditional pop, Motown soul, orchestral instrumentals, and psychedelic experimentation all found an audience. It was a moment when virtually any style could become a hit if it connected with listeners.
Top 5 Songs (March 2, 1968)
1. Love Is Blue (L’amour Est Bleu) – Paul Mauriat And His Orchestra
Love Is Blue (L’amour Est Bleu) held the number one position for a fourth consecutive week, continuing one of the most surprising chart runs of the late 1960s. Instrumental hits were becoming increasingly rare at the top of the Hot 100, yet Paul Mauriat’s elegant arrangement continued to resonate with millions of listeners.
The song’s success came from its timeless melody and emotional warmth. Without a single lyric, it managed to create a vivid mood that listeners found both relaxing and memorable. Its orchestral sophistication helped it stand apart from the rock and soul records surrounding it.
By this point, the record had become more than a novelty. It was a genuine cultural phenomenon and one of the defining instrumental hits of the decade.
2. (Theme From) Valley Of The Dolls – Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick remained at number two this week as (Theme From) Valley Of The Dolls continued its strong chart run. The song had quickly become one of the most successful movie themes of the era and showcased Warwick’s remarkable vocal abilities.
Her performance balanced elegance, vulnerability, and emotional power. Few singers could communicate complex emotions as effortlessly as Warwick, and listeners responded enthusiastically to her interpretation.
The song’s continued strength suggested that it still had the potential to challenge for the number one position. By early March, it was one of the most recognizable records on American radio.
3. (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay – Otis Redding
Otis Redding continued his remarkable rise, climbing from number five to number three. (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay was rapidly becoming one of the most important records of 1968 and was gaining momentum at an extraordinary pace.
The song revealed a different side of Redding’s artistry. Rather than relying solely on the energetic soul style that made him famous, he delivered a reflective and deeply personal performance that resonated with a wide audience.
Its climb into the Top 3 signaled that the record was on a trajectory toward even greater success. Looking back today, it stands as one of the most beloved recordings in popular music history.
4. I Wish It Would Rain – The Temptations
The Temptations remained steady at number four with I Wish It Would Rain, one of Motown’s most emotionally compelling recordings. The song offered a powerful contrast to many of the more upbeat hits dominating the chart.
Its success was driven by outstanding vocal performances and lyrics that explored heartbreak with unusual honesty. The group’s harmonies and the polished Motown production combined to create a record that felt both sophisticated and deeply personal.
Even as newer songs climbed the chart, I Wish It Would Rain continued to demonstrate the enduring power of soul music in the late 1960s.
5. Simon Says – 1910 Fruitgum Co.
Simon Says climbed into the Top 5 this week, continuing the growing popularity of bubblegum pop. The 1910 Fruitgum Co. created a record that was simple, catchy, and perfectly suited for radio audiences.
The song’s playful nature made it particularly appealing to younger listeners. Its sing-along chorus and infectious energy helped it stand out in a chart filled with more serious and dramatic recordings.
Although critics sometimes dismissed bubblegum music, records like Simon Says proved remarkably effective at connecting with the public. Its rise into the Top 5 reflected the broad appeal of uncomplicated, feel-good pop music.
More Weeks at #1 for “Love Is Blue”
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 March 2, 1968, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Love Is Blue by Paul Mauriat
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Born in the 60s? Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- Love Is Blue (L’amour Est Bleu) – Paul Mauriat And His Orchestra
- (Theme From) Valley Of The Dolls – Dionne Warwick
- (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay – Otis Redding
- I Wish It Would Rain – The Temptations
- Simon Says – 1910 Fruitgum Co.
- Spooky – Classics IV
- Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) – The First Edition
- I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonite – Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart
- Bottle Of Wine – The Fireballs
- Everything That Touches You – The Association
Chart Movers This Week
Looking Back at March 1968
The March 2, 1968 chart illustrates just how varied American popular music had become. Instrumental recordings, Motown soul, movie themes, psychedelic rock, and bubblegum pop all occupied prominent positions on the Billboard Hot 100. It was an era when no single genre completely dominated the marketplace.
The continued success of Love Is Blue demonstrated the enduring appeal of strong melodies, while the rise of (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay hinted at a future classic in the making. At the same time, songs like Simon Says showed that fun and simplicity could still thrive alongside more sophisticated recordings.
Viewed today, this chart captures a moment of extraordinary creativity and diversity. The records featured here represent many different corners of the music world, yet together they form a compelling snapshot of one of the most dynamic periods in Billboard chart history.
