Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of November 29, 1969
The final week of November 1969 delivered another dramatic shift atop the Billboard Hot 100 as The Beatles returned to the summit with one of the most memorable singles of their legendary career. With the decade rapidly drawing to a close, the charts reflected the extraordinary musical diversity that defined the late 1960s. Rock, soul, folk-pop, and sophisticated studio productions all competed for listeners’ attention, creating one of the richest periods in popular music history.
After weeks of climbing, “Come Together/Something” rose from No. 7 to claim the No. 1 position. The double-sided single showcased two distinct sides of The Beatles’ creativity, pairing John Lennon’s bluesy, mysterious “Come Together” with George Harrison’s elegant ballad “Something.” Behind them, Blood, Sweat & Tears moved to No. 2 with “And When I Die,” while former chart-topper “Wedding Bell Blues” by The 5th Dimension slipped to No. 3 after a successful run at the summit. R.B. Greaves and Steam completed a strong Top 5 that demonstrated the variety of sounds dominating radio as the 1960s entered its final month.
Elsewhere in the Top 10, Peter, Paul & Mary continued their comeback with “Leaving On A Jet Plane,” Stevie Wonder remained on the rise with “Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday,” and Creedence Clearwater Revival scored another major hit with “Down On The Corner/Fortunate Son.” It was a chart that perfectly captured the closing chapter of one of music’s most influential decades.
Top 5 Songs (November 29, 1969)
1. Come Together/Something – The Beatles
The Beatles returned to No. 1 with the powerful double-sided single “Come Together/Something.” Featuring two of the strongest songs from Abbey Road, the record highlighted the remarkable songwriting talents of both John Lennon and George Harrison.
The jump from No. 7 to No. 1 made this one of the most significant chart moves of late 1969 and gave The Beatles another Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper during the final months of their recording career.
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2. And When I Die – Blood, Sweat & Tears
Blood, Sweat & Tears climbed to a new peak of No. 2 with “And When I Die.” Their unique fusion of rock, jazz, brass, and sophisticated songwriting continued to set them apart from nearly every other group on the charts.
3. Wedding Bell Blues – The 5th Dimension
After spending time at No. 1 earlier in the month, The 5th Dimension’s “Wedding Bell Blues” remained one of the most popular songs in America. Laura Nyro’s songwriting and the group’s polished harmonies helped make it one of the signature hits of 1969.
4. Take A Letter Maria – R.B. Greaves
R.B. Greaves held strong at No. 4 with “Take A Letter Maria.” Its storytelling approach and memorable chorus helped it become one of the year’s biggest surprise hits.
5. Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye – Steam
Steam reached a new high of No. 5 as “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” continued its rapid ascent. The song’s unforgettable singalong chorus was helping turn it into one of the defining records of the era.
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🎂 What Was the #1 Song on Your Birthday?
If you were born during the week ending November 29, 1969, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Come Together by The Beatles
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🎂 Born in the 60s? Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- Come Together/Something – The Beatles
- And When I Die – Blood, Sweat & Tears
- Wedding Bell Blues – The 5th Dimension
- Take A Letter Maria – R.B. Greaves
- Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye – Steam
- Smile A Little Smile For Me – The Flying Machine
- Leaving On A Jet Plane – Peter, Paul & Mary
- Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday – Stevie Wonder
- Down On The Corner/Fortunate Son – Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Eli’s Coming – Three Dog Night
Chart Movers This Week
Looking Back at November 29, 1969
The week of November 29, 1969, represented a changing of the guard on the Billboard Hot 100. While The Beatles reclaimed the top spot, newer acts such as Steam and R.B. Greaves were rapidly gaining momentum. Veteran performers like Peter, Paul & Mary and Stevie Wonder also remained highly relevant, demonstrating the broad appeal of late-1960s music.
With only a few chart weeks remaining in the decade, this Hot 100 serves as a fitting snapshot of 1969’s musical landscape. Rock, soul, pop, and folk influences all shared the spotlight, helping create one of the most memorable years in Billboard chart history.
