Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of May 24, 1969
The Billboard Hot 100 chart for May 24, 1969 witnessed one of the year’s biggest developments as The Beatles returned to the top of the chart with “Get Back.” Featuring Billy Preston, the single completed a remarkable climb from a No. 10 debut just two weeks earlier to the No. 1 position. At a time when the music world was changing rapidly, The Beatles once again demonstrated their unmatched ability to dominate popular music.
The song’s rise ended the impressive six-week reign of The 5th Dimension’s “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures),” which slipped to No. 2 after becoming one of the defining hits of 1969. Meanwhile, the chart continued to reflect the extraordinary diversity of late-1960s music. Soft pop, gospel, funk, folk-rock, and psychedelic influences all appeared throughout the Top 10.
One of the week’s biggest movers was “Oh Happy Day” by The Edwin Hawkins’ Singers featuring Dorothy Combs Morrison. The uplifting gospel recording climbed into the Top 5 and introduced a style of music rarely seen this high on the pop charts. Mercy’s “Love (Can Make You Happy)” also continued its strong ascent, while Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Boxer” remained among the nation’s most popular records.
Looking back, this chart serves as a perfect example of how quickly popular music was evolving during 1969. Established superstars shared chart space with newcomers, and multiple genres competed for listeners’ attention in one of the most creative years in Billboard history.
Top 5 Songs (May 24, 1969)
1. Get Back – The Beatles With Billy Preston
The Beatles returned to No. 1 with “Get Back,” one of the most memorable singles of their later years. After years of increasingly elaborate studio productions, the group intentionally returned to a more direct and straightforward rock and roll sound.
Billy Preston’s keyboard performance added a distinctive element to the recording, making him one of the few musicians ever credited alongside The Beatles on a single release. The song’s infectious groove and memorable chorus quickly captured the attention of listeners around the world.
Its rapid rise to the top confirmed that even in 1969, The Beatles remained the most influential band in popular music.
2. Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures) – The 5th Dimension
After six weeks at No. 1, The 5th Dimension slipped to No. 2 with one of the defining records of the year. The song’s influence extended far beyond the charts, helping bring the themes and spirit of Hair into mainstream American culture.
Its ambitious structure and uplifting message made it one of the most distinctive hits of the decade. Few records captured the atmosphere of 1969 as effectively.
Even after leaving the top spot, it remained one of the year’s most important and successful recordings.
3. Love (Can Make You Happy) – Mercy
Mercy climbed to No. 3 with one of the surprise hits of the spring of 1969. The song’s soft harmonies and gentle melody provided a contrast to many of the harder-edged and more experimental records dominating the era.
Its romantic lyrics and polished production appealed to listeners looking for a more traditional pop sound. The record quickly became a favorite on radio stations throughout the country.
Its continued rise demonstrated the enduring appeal of melodic pop music.
4. Hair – The Cowsills
The Cowsills slipped to No. 4 after reaching a peak of No. 2 the previous week. Nevertheless, “Hair” remained one of the most recognizable songs on American radio.
The song’s success further illustrated the enormous cultural impact of the Broadway musical that inspired it. The group’s upbeat and family-friendly presentation helped make the song accessible to mainstream audiences.
Its long run near the top reflected both its popularity and its connection to the broader cultural trends of the era.
5. Oh Happy Day – The Edwin Hawkins’ Singers Featuring Dorothy Combs Morrison
One of the week’s biggest stories was the rise of “Oh Happy Day” into the Top 5. The gospel classic brought a style of music rarely heard on mainstream pop radio to a massive national audience.
Featuring an uplifting message and a powerful vocal performance, the record crossed traditional musical boundaries and became a major cultural phenomenon. Its success introduced many listeners to contemporary gospel music for the first time.
The song’s climb into the Top 5 remains one of the most significant crossover success stories of the era.
More Weeks at #1 for “Get Back”
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 May 24, 1969, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Get Back by The Beatles
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Born in the 60s? Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- Get Back – The Beatles With Billy Preston
- Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures) – The 5th Dimension
- Love (Can Make You Happy) – Mercy
- Hair – The Cowsills
- Oh Happy Day – The Edwin Hawkins’ Singers Featuring Dorothy Combs Morrison
- It’s Your Thing – The Isley Brothers
- Atlantis – Donovan
- The Boxer – Simon & Garfunkel
- Gitarzan – Ray Stevens
- These Eyes – The Guess Who
Chart Movers This Week
Why This Week Mattered
The May 24, 1969 chart marked the return of The Beatles to the No. 1 position and demonstrated their continuing ability to shape popular music. “Get Back” represented a return to the band’s roots while still sounding fresh and contemporary.
The chart also highlighted the growing diversity of successful music. Gospel, funk, folk-rock, soft pop, and Broadway-inspired material all appeared in the Top 10, reflecting the increasingly broad tastes of American listeners.
Viewed today, this chart stands as one of the most interesting snapshots of late-1960s music. It captures a period when legendary artists, emerging performers, and entirely new musical styles could all find success on the Billboard Hot 100.
