Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of September 28, 1968
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The Billboard Hot 100 for September 28, 1968 marked the arrival of one of the defining songs of the decade. Just three weeks after debuting at an astonishing number ten, The Beatles’ Hey Jude surged to the top of the chart. The record’s remarkable climb demonstrated the group’s unmatched popularity and the immediate impact of their first release on the Apple label.
While The Beatles captured the spotlight, the rest of the Top 5 reflected the extraordinary diversity of late-1960s popular music. Country crossover success continued with Jeannie C. Riley’s Harper Valley P.T.A., while The Rascals remained near the summit with their socially conscious anthem People Got To Be Free. Deep Purple represented the growing hard-rock movement, and Arthur Brown’s theatrical Fire announced the arrival of one of the era’s most unusual hits.
The chart was changing rapidly as summer gave way to fall. Psychedelic rock, soul, country-pop, bubblegum, and British rock all competed for radio attention. Established stars continued to dominate, but new sounds and new artists were increasingly finding room in the upper reaches of the Hot 100.
Looking back, this week stands as a turning point. The arrival of Hey Jude at number one signaled the beginning of another major Beatles chart run while showcasing the remarkable musical variety that made 1968 one of the most memorable years in Billboard history.
Top 5 Songs (September 28, 1968)
1. Hey Jude – The Beatles
Hey Jude rocketed from number three to number one in just its third week on the chart. The Beatles once again demonstrated their ability to create records that instantly connected with millions of listeners across the world.
Beginning as a gentle ballad before building into one of the most memorable sing-along finales in popular music history, the song felt unlike anything else on the radio. Its emotional message and epic length challenged conventional pop formulas while remaining incredibly accessible.
The record’s rapid ascent suggested that it would not be a brief visitor to the top. By the end of September 1968, Hey Jude had already established itself as one of the defining songs of the year.
2. Harper Valley P.T.A. – Jeannie C. Riley
After spending a week at number one, Harper Valley P.T.A. slipped to second place. Its sharp storytelling and memorable narrative continued to resonate with listeners across the country.
The song’s crossover appeal remained remarkable. Country audiences embraced it, while mainstream pop listeners helped turn it into one of the year’s biggest records.
3. People Got To Be Free – The Rascals
The Rascals held strong at number three after an impressive run at the top. The song’s hopeful message continued to connect with audiences during a year marked by social and political change.
Even after eleven weeks on the chart, the record remained one of the most important and recognizable songs of 1968.
4. Hush – Deep Purple
Deep Purple remained at number four with Hush, one of the hardest-rocking records currently in the Top 10. Its driving rhythm and energetic performance helped it stand apart from the more polished pop productions surrounding it.
The song introduced many American listeners to a band that would later become one of the most influential names in hard rock.
5. Fire – The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown
The week’s biggest mover in the Top 5 was Fire, jumping from number fifteen to number five. Arthur Brown’s dramatic vocal style and theatrical presentation made the song impossible to ignore.
Its dark atmosphere, unusual production, and unforgettable chorus gave radio listeners something entirely different from anything else on the chart.
The record’s rapid climb suggested that it still had plenty of room to grow in the weeks ahead.
More Weeks at #1 for “Hey Jude”
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 28, 1968, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Hey Jude by The Beatles
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🎂 Born in the 60s? Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- Hey Jude – The Beatles
- Harper Valley P.T.A. – Jeannie C. Riley
- People Got To Be Free – The Rascals
- Hush – Deep Purple
- Fire – The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown
- The Fool On The Hill – Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66
- 1, 2, 3, Red Light – 1910 Fruitgum Co.
- I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You – Bee Gees
- Girl Watcher – The O’Kaysions
- Slip Away – Clarence Carter
Chart Movers This Week
Looking Back at September 1968
The final Billboard chart of September 1968 perfectly captured the musical landscape of the era. The Beatles returned to number one, country-pop remained a major force, hard rock continued its rise, and experimental records like Fire found mainstream success.
Perhaps most importantly, this chart showed how quickly music was evolving. Within a single Top 10, listeners could find British rock, American soul, country crossover, bubblegum pop, and psychedelic experimentation. Few periods in chart history offered such a wide range of sounds competing at the highest level.
As autumn began, Hey Jude appeared poised for a lengthy stay at the summit, setting the stage for one of the most memorable chart runs of the 1960s.
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