Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of September 13, 1969
As the summer of 1969 entered its final weeks, the Billboard Hot 100 showcased a remarkable blend of rock, pop, folk, country, and soul. The music world was still feeling the impact of Woodstock, while radio listeners embraced both established superstars and a wave of rising acts. The chart for September 13 captures a transitional moment in popular music, with the sounds of the 1960s beginning to give way to the styles that would dominate the coming decade.
Holding firm at No. 1 was “Honky Tonk Women” by The Rolling Stones. The band’s bluesy rocker had become one of the defining songs of the summer and continued its impressive run atop the charts. Close behind was the rapidly climbing bubblegum-pop smash “Sugar, Sugar” by The Archies, which was only a week away from beginning its own legendary reign. Johnny Cash’s “A Boy Named Sue” remained a major crossover hit at No. 3, while Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Green River” continued its ascent. Rounding out the Top 5 was the enduring peace anthem “Get Together” by The Youngbloods, a song that had taken an unusually long journey to become a major hit.
The Top 10 also featured future classics from Bob Dylan, Three Dog Night, Tom Jones, Jackie DeShannon, and The Temptations. Looking back, this chart offers a snapshot of one of the most diverse and memorable periods in American popular music.
Top 5 Songs (September 13, 1969)
1. Honky Tonk Women – The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones remained at No. 1 for a fourth consecutive week with “Honky Tonk Women.” Combining country influences, blues attitude, and classic rock energy, the song became one of the band’s signature recordings and one of the biggest hits of 1969.
Its unmistakable opening cowbell and gritty performance helped keep it ahead of a strong field of challengers as summer came to an end.
2. Sugar, Sugar – The Archies
The Archies climbed to No. 2 with “Sugar, Sugar,” continuing one of the year’s most surprising success stories. The infectious bubblegum-pop tune appealed to listeners of all ages and was quickly becoming one of the defining records of late 1969.
Its steady rise suggested that a change at the top of the chart might be imminent.
3. A Boy Named Sue – Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash held strong at No. 3 with his live-recorded storytelling hit “A Boy Named Sue.” The humorous narrative and Cash’s charismatic performance made the song a crossover sensation.
It remained one of the most popular records on radio despite increasing competition from newer releases.
4. Green River – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Creedence Clearwater Revival continued their remarkable 1969 run with “Green River.” John Fogerty’s vivid lyrics and the band’s swamp-rock sound helped the single climb into the Top 5.
The song further established Creedence as one of America’s most successful rock groups during the late 1960s.
5. Get Together – The Youngbloods
“Get Together” remained in the Top 5 after an extraordinary chart journey. Originally released two years earlier, the song found new life thanks to its message of peace and unity, themes that resonated strongly with audiences in 1969.
Its success demonstrated how a song’s message can become even more powerful with time.
More Weeks at #1 for “Honky Tonk Women”
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 September 13, 1969, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Honky Tonk Women by The Rolling Stones
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Born in the 60s? Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- Honky Tonk Women – The Rolling Stones
- Sugar, Sugar – The Archies
- A Boy Named Sue – Johnny Cash
- Green River – Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Get Together – The Youngbloods
- I’ll Never Fall In Love Again – Tom Jones
- Lay Lady Lay – Bob Dylan
- Easy To Be Hard – Three Dog Night
- Put A Little Love In Your Heart – Jackie DeShannon
- I Can’t Get Next To You – The Temptations
Chart Movers This Week
Looking Back at September 13, 1969
The Billboard Hot 100 for September 13, 1969 reflected a music industry in transition. Rock bands dominated the upper reaches of the chart, but country, folk, soul, and pop all maintained a strong presence. Songs such as “Sugar, Sugar,” “Green River,” and “I Can’t Get Next To You” were still climbing, while established hits like “Honky Tonk Women” and “A Boy Named Sue” continued to attract massive audiences.
Within just a few weeks, several of these songs would reach new peaks, helping shape the final months of one of music’s most historic years. More than half a century later, this chart remains a fascinating snapshot of the sounds that defined late 1969.
