Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of May 31, 1969
The final Billboard Hot 100 chart of May 1969 found The Beatles firmly in control of the top position with “Get Back.” Featuring Billy Preston, the single spent its second week at No. 1 and demonstrated that even after years of unprecedented success, The Beatles remained capable of dominating popular music. Their return to a simpler, rock-and-roll-driven sound connected immediately with listeners and helped make the record one of the biggest hits of the year.
Behind The Beatles, the chart reflected the incredible musical diversity that characterized 1969. Mercy’s soft-pop hit “Love (Can Make You Happy)” climbed to No. 2, while The 5th Dimension’s former chart-topper “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)” remained a major force after one of the longest and most influential runs of the year. Gospel music also continued its breakthrough into the mainstream as “Oh Happy Day” climbed into the Top 5.
The chart featured a fascinating mix of styles. Folk-rock, soul, gospel, sunshine pop, comedy songs, and socially conscious recordings all found success. Elvis Presley returned to the Top 10 with the powerful “In The Ghetto,” while Canadian rock group The Guess Who continued their breakthrough with “These Eyes.”
Looking back, this chart captures a moment when popular music was becoming increasingly diverse and sophisticated. Established legends, rising stars, and entirely new genres all competed for attention, making 1969 one of the most memorable years in Billboard history.
Top 5 Songs (May 31, 1969)
1. Get Back – The Beatles With Billy Preston
The Beatles remained at No. 1 with “Get Back,” a record that marked a return to the group’s rock and roll foundations. Driven by an infectious groove and memorable chorus, the song quickly became one of the defining hits of 1969.
Billy Preston’s contribution added a fresh dimension to the recording and helped distinguish it from many previous Beatles releases. The record’s stripped-down approach contrasted sharply with the band’s more elaborate studio productions of recent years.
Its continued success confirmed that The Beatles remained the dominant force in popular music even as the decade approached its conclusion.
2. Love (Can Make You Happy) – Mercy
Mercy climbed to No. 2 with one of the surprise success stories of 1969. “Love (Can Make You Happy)” offered listeners a gentle, melodic alternative to many of the more experimental sounds dominating the charts.
The song’s lush harmonies and romantic lyrics made it a favorite on both pop and adult contemporary radio stations. Its broad appeal helped it become one of the biggest hits of the spring.
The continued rise of the record demonstrated the enduring popularity of well-crafted soft pop music.
3. Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures) – The 5th Dimension
Although it slipped to No. 3, “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In” remained one of the defining records of the year. Its six-week stay at No. 1 had already secured its place among the most important songs of 1969.
The medley successfully brought the themes of Hair into mainstream culture and helped define the sound of the era. Its ambitious structure and uplifting message made it unlike anything else on the radio.
Even after leaving the top spot, its influence remained enormous.
4. Oh Happy Day – The Edwin Hawkins’ Singers Featuring Dorothy Combs Morrison
One of the most remarkable stories of the year continued as “Oh Happy Day” climbed to No. 4. The gospel recording crossed over into mainstream pop culture and introduced millions of listeners to contemporary gospel music.
Its joyful message and powerful vocal performance gave the record universal appeal. Few songs on the chart carried such a positive and uplifting spirit.
The success of “Oh Happy Day” remains one of the most significant crossover achievements in Billboard history.
5. Hair – The Cowsills
The Cowsills rounded out the Top 5 with “Hair,” another major hit inspired by the groundbreaking Broadway musical. The song’s playful lyrics and upbeat presentation continued to attract listeners across the country.
Its success highlighted the tremendous cultural influence of Hair during 1969. Few theatrical productions have ever generated multiple chart hits of this magnitude.
Even after several months on the chart, the record remained one of the year’s most recognizable songs.
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 31, 1969, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Get Back by The Beatles
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🎂 Born in the 60s? Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- Get Back – The Beatles With Billy Preston
- Love (Can Make You Happy) – Mercy
- Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures) – The 5th Dimension
- Oh Happy Day – The Edwin Hawkins’ Singers Featuring Dorothy Combs Morrison
- Hair – The Cowsills
- These Eyes – The Guess Who
- Atlantis – Donovan
- Gitarzan – Ray Stevens
- In The Ghetto – Elvis Presley
- Grazing In The Grass – The Friends Of Distinction
Chart Movers This Week
Why This Week Mattered
The May 31, 1969 chart showcased the remarkable diversity of popular music at the end of the decade. Gospel, folk-rock, sunshine pop, soul, comedy records, and classic rock all found places within the Top 10.
This week also highlighted the continued influence of legendary artists. The Beatles remained at No. 1 while Elvis Presley returned to the Top 10 with “In The Ghetto,” one of the most socially conscious recordings of his career.
Viewed today, this chart serves as a fitting conclusion to the month of May 1969. It captures a period when musical boundaries were expanding rapidly and some of the decade’s most memorable songs were competing side by side on the Billboard Hot 100.
