1969 in music

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John Lennon rehearses "Give Peace a Chance", 1969.

List of notable events in music that took place in the year 1969.

Specific locations

Specific genres

Events

Summary

Perhaps the two most famous musical events of 1969 were concerts. At a Rolling Stones concert in Altamont, California, a fan was stabbed to death by Hells Angels, a biker gang that had been hired to provide security for the event. In retrospect, some commentators have concluded that the violence signaled the end of the "hippie" movement, which espoused an ethos of free love and peace. Even more famous than the Altamont concert was the Woodstock festival, which consisted of dozens of the most famous performers in the world at the time, playing together in an atmosphere of peace with nature and love, with many thousands of concert goers; it is still one of the largest concerts in the history of the world. One of those who performed was Ravi Shankar, his presence reflecting a growing interest in Indian and other Eastern music; Shankar later said that the 1960s "got India wrong". "Black Woodstock", the Harlem Cultural Festival, took place in New York City. The Beatles' rooftop concert was the last time the band played together in public.

The 1967 musical Hair generated the same-named 1968 album, whose cuts include "Aquarius" and "Let The Sunshine In", "Hair", "Good Morning Starshine", "Easy to Be Hard" (covered, chronologically and respectively, by The 5th Dimension at number 1, The Cowsills at number 2, Oliver at number 3, Three Dog Night at number 4, on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969), and others, and a London Cast album released in April 1969.

The Isle of Wight Festival saw the return of Bob Dylan to live music after his motorbike accident in 1966.

US and UK pop music remained popular worldwide, with few European acts making the charts outside their home countries; exceptions included Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg, Shocking Blue, Georges Moustaki and Christian Anders.

David Bowie's "Space Oddity" became a huge hit in this year, being released at the time that American astronauts first landed on the Moon. The song, the story of an astronaut named Major Tom who goes into space and is entranced by the beauty of seeing Earth from such a great distance and consequently lets himself float off into space, never again to return, was chosen by the BBC as the theme song for the television coverage of the Moon landing. The remainder of the album, Man of Words/Man of Music, was too eccentric for mainstream acceptance, though it established a devoted fanbase for Bowie, who would go on to become one of the most popular musicians in the world.

King Crimson's In the Court of the Crimson King is a pioneering album in the development of progressive rock. The album drew upon influences like Procol Harum, The Moody Blues and The Nice to form a sound melding rock and roll with classical influences in long pieces of music. Similar albums by The Moody Blues, Procol Harum and The Nice, as well as Genesis, Yes and Pink Floyd were also released this year, expanding the range of prog rock and developing it into a full-fledged genre.

The Stooges' eponymous debut, The Stooges, was also released this year to little critical or popular acceptance. The album, however, went on to become one of the most important recordings in the early development of punk rock, as did Kick Out The Jams by Detroit protopunkers MC5.

Johnny Cash's At San Quentin included his only Top Ten pop hit, "A Boy Named Sue". The album was a sequel to last year's At Folsom Prison. Also in country music, Merle Haggard's Same Train, Different Time, a tribute to Jimmie Rodgers, was enormously popular and influenced the development of the Bakersfield sound into outlaw country within a few years.

Creedence Clearwater Revival cement their success from the previous year. Having had a single US number 11 hit in 1968 with "Suzie Q", they release not only their second, but also their third and fourth proper studio album in 1969, as well as drawing a total of four top 3 hits from these three albums. Starting with Bayou Country, including the US number 2 hit "Proud Mary", and continuing with Green River and finally Willy and the Poor Boys, which, during the year, transformed them from an up-and-coming underground act to bona fide rock stars. During 1969, Creedence Clearwater Revival had number 2 hits in the US with "Proud Mary", "Green River" and "Bad Moon Rising", and also have a number 3 hit with "Down on the Corner"/"Fortunate Son".

Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso released enormously popular albums in Brazil, Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso, respectively. The pair's fusion of bossa nova, samba and other native Brazilian folk influences, melded with politically and socially aware lyrics, kickstarted what came to be known as Tropicalia. Both musicians moved to London after a period of imprisonment for anti-government activities in Brazil.

Family released their second album, Family Entertainment, in their native Britain. It is their first top 10 album in the United Kingdom, hitting number six. "The Weaver's Answer", which opens the record, becomes their most popular song in their concert performances. By the end of the year, however, they lose and replace two members, and their first attempt to break through commercially in the United States backfires miserably.

Elvis Presley returned to live performances at the International Hotel in Las Vegas; breaking all attendance records in his 57-concert run. He also enjoyed great success with his songs "In the Ghetto" and "Suspicious Minds".

The Wendy Carlos album Switched-On Bach was one of the first classical albums to sell 500,000 copies, and helped bring classical music into the popular sphere, as did Mason Williams' "Classical Gas", played on classical guitar, in addition to being accompanied by one of the first successful music videos. The composition won three Grammy Awards: Best Instrumental Composition, Best Contemporary-Pop Performance, Instrumental, and Best Instrumental Arrangement. In the meantime, German trumpeter Manfred Schoof's free jazz album, European Echoes, a recording of his half-hour free improvisation broadcast on German radio in June 1969, featured international musicians and is regarded as a seminal album in the genre.

Chutney music was also first recorded in 1969, in Trinidad and Tobago by Sundar Popo.

1969 was the last year in which the United States government gave greater financial support, through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) "Music Program" to opera than it did to other classical music, and the first year in which it gave any support at all to jazz and folk music.

New York City Ballet celebrates their 25th anniversary with performances at the David H. Koch Theater Lincoln Center.

Major events

Bands formed

Bands disbanded

Albums released

January

Day Album Artist Notes
6 The Holy Land Johnny Cash -
13 Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin US
Yellow Submarine The Beatles Soundtrack
15 Bayou Country Creedence Clearwater Revival
17 Babylon Dr. John -
Ball Iron Butterfly -
Soul '69 Aretha Franklin -
30 Moby Grape '69 Moby Grape -
Birthday Blues Bert Jansch -
Donovan's Greatest Hits Donovan Compilation
English Rose Fleetwood Mac Compilation
First Edition '69 The First Edition -
Ramblin' Gamblin' Man The Bob Seger System -
Irresistible Tammi Terrell Solo debut
Till The Vogues -
What We Did on Our Holidays Fairport Convention -
The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper Mike Bloomfield & Al Kooper -

February

Day Album Artist Notes
2 Perspective Rick Nelson
5 Goodbye Cream -
6 The Gilded Palace of Sin The Flying Burrito Brothers -
10 20/20 The Beach Boys -
11 Sound of Sexy Soul The Delfonics -
15 Instant Replay The Monkees -
17 Cloud Nine The Temptations -
21 Postcard Mary Hopkin -
22 Stonedhenge Ten Years After -
- Bless Its Pointed Little Head Jefferson Airplane Live
O.K. Ken? Chicken Shack -
Kick Out the Jams MC5 Live
Odessa Bee Gees -
Mutantes Os Mutantes -
Near the Beginning Vanilla Fudge -
Contact Silver Apples -

March

Day Album Artist Notes
5 Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde The Byrds -
7 From Genesis to Revelation Genesis -
14 Tons of Sobs Free -
17 Freedom Suite The Rascals -
24 Mothermania The Mothers of Invention Compilation
At Your Birthday Party Steppenwolf -
Bull of the Woods The 13th Floor Elevators -
Family Entertainment Family -
Dusty in Memphis Dusty Springfield -
Happy Trails Quicksilver Messenger Service -
Yer' Album James Gang -
Just to Satisfy You Waylon Jennings -
My Way Frank Sinatra -
New! Improved! Blue Cheer -
Outta Season Ike & Tina Turner -
Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud James Brown -
Scott 3 Scott Walker -
Spooky Two Spooky Tooth -
The Velvet Underground The Velvet Underground -
Wheatfield Soul The Guess Who -
Galveston Glen Campbell -

April

Day Album Artist Notes
4 Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show Neil Diamond -
7 Nazz Nazz Nazz -
Songs from a Room Leonard Cohen -
8 Three Week Hero P.J. Proby -
9 Nashville Skyline Bob Dylan -
15 Green Is Blues Al Green -
Johnny Winter Johnny Winter -
21 Uncle Meat The Mothers of Invention Soundtrack
23 With a Little Help from My Friends Joe Cocker -
25 On the Threshold of a Dream The Moody Blues -
28 The Chicago Transit Authority Chicago -
30 M.P.G. Marvin Gaye -
- Taste Taste -
Blue Matter Savoy Brown -
Hair Various Artists London cast
It's Our Thing The Isley Brothers -
Joyride Friendsound -
Our Mother the Mountain Townes Van Zandt -
Elephant Mountain The Youngbloods -
Soft and Beautiful Aretha Franklin -
Soulful Dionne Warwick -

May

Day Album Artist Notes
1 Clouds Joni Mitchell -
9 Beginnings Ambrose Slade -
Electronic Sound George Harrison -
Unfinished Music No. 2: Life with the Lions John Lennon & Yoko Ono -
12 After the Rain Muddy Waters -
14 Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere Neil Young & Crazy Horse -
16 Rehearsals for Retirement Phil Ochs -
Unicorn Tyrannosaurus Rex -
19 Tommy The Who
Pickin' Up the Pieces Poco -
Oar Skip Spence -
More Today Than Yesterday Spiral Starecase -
23 Surround Yourself with Cilla Cilla Black -
26 Let the Sunshine In Diana Ross & the Supremes -
29 Crosby, Stills & Nash Crosby, Stills & Nash -
Stand! Sly & the Family Stone -
A Black Man's Soul Ike Turner & The Kings of Rhythm
The Age of Aquarius The 5th Dimension -
The Booker T. Set Booker T. & the M.G.'s -
California Bloodlines John Stewart -
David's Album Joan Baez -
Gettin' Down to It James Brown -
Hollies Sing Dylan The Hollies -
Home Delaney & Bonnie -
Last Exit Traffic -
The Meters The Meters -
Motor-Cycle Lotti Golden -
This Is Tom Jones Tom Jones -
The Young Mods' Forgotten Story The Impressions -

June

Day Album Artist Notes
2 From Elvis in Memphis Elvis Presley
4 At San Quentin Johnny Cash Live
5 Folkjokeopus Roy Harper -
6 Empty Sky Elton John -
11 Suitable for Framing Three Dog Night -
13 More Pink Floyd Soundtrack
16 Brave New World Steve Miller Band -
Trout Mask Replica Captain Beefheart -
20 3614 Jackson Highway Cher -
Aoxomoxoa Grateful Dead -
Chastity Cher Soundtrack
First Take Roberta Flack
25 Pretties for You Alice Cooper -
30 Always, Always Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton -
Beck-Ola The Jeff Beck Group -
Deep Purple Deep Purple US; third album
It's a Beautiful Day It's A Beautiful Day -
Best of Bee Gees Bee Gees Compilation
Concerto in B. Goode Chuck Berry -
Bubblegum, Lemonade, and... Something for Mama Cass Elliot -
An Electric Storm White Noise -
In Person Ike & Tina Turner and The Ikettes Live
Just Good Old Rock and Roll The Electric Prunes -
Lee Michaels Lee Michaels -
Love Man Otis Redding -
Pongo en tus manos abiertas Victor Jara -
A Salty Dog Procol Harum -
Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg -

July

Day Album Artist Notes
3 Unhalfbricking Fairport Convention -
Five Leaves Left Nick Drake -
4 Maybe Tomorrow The Iveys -
8 Hallelujah Canned Heat -
10 Happy Sad Tim Buckley -
18 The Soft Parade The Doors -
21 Blind Faith Blind Faith -
25 Ahead Rings Out Blodwyn Pig -
Yes Yes -
29 Preflyte The Byrds Compilation
30 In a Silent Way Miles Davis -
Truly Fine Citizen Moby Grape -
- 2525 (Exordium and Terminus) Zager and Evans -
Early Steppenwolf Steppenwolf Live 1967
Here We Are Again Country Joe and the Fish -
If Only for a Moment Blossom Toes -
More of Old Golden Throat Johnny Cash Compilation
Mountain Leslie West -
The Original Delaney & Bonnie & Friends Delaney & Bonnie -
Wasa Wasa Edgar Broughton Band -
What About Today? Barbra Streisand -

August

Day Album Artist Notes
1 As Safe as Yesterday Is Humble Pie -
Stand Up Jethro Tull -
Tadpoles Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band Released on June 9 in US
5 The Stooges The Stooges -
7 Green River Creedence Clearwater Revival
11 Barabajagal Donovan -
14 The Brothers: Isley The Isley Brothers -
15 Mourning in the Morning Otis Rush -
18 Fathers and Sons Muddy Waters -
22 Santana Santana -
25 On Time Grand Funk Railroad -
27 Boz Scaggs Boz Scaggs -
29 My Cherie Amour Stevie Wonder -
Songs for a Tailor Jack Bruce -
- The Association The Association -
Give It Away The Chi-Lites -
Harry Harry Nilsson -
It's a Mother James Brown -
Monster Movie Can -
The Popcorn James Brown -
Ssssh Ten Years After -
The Head Shop The Head Shop -

September

Day Album Artist Notes
11 I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama! Janis Joplin Solo debut
12 Through the Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2) The Rolling Stones Compilation
16 Easy Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell -
19 Then Play On Fleetwood Mac -
22 The Band The Band -
23 Hot Buttered Soul Isaac Hayes -
Puzzle People The Temptations -
Together Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations Duets
24 New York Tendaberry Laura Nyro -
26 Abbey Road The Beatles -
30 At Home Shocking Blue -
Get Ready Rare Earth -
- 2 Ozs of Plastic with a Hole in the Middle Man -
Canned Wheat The Guess Who -
Four Sail Love -
Love Chronicles Al Stewart -
Nice The Nice -
Noah The Bob Seger System -
Rock & Roll Vanilla Fudge -
The Aerosol Grey Machine Van der Graaf Generator -
Spare Parts Status Quo -
A Step Further Savoy Brown Live + studio
Supersnazz The Flamin' Groovies -
These Things Too Pearls Before Swine -
Townes Van Zandt Townes Van Zandt -
Volume Two The Soft Machine -

October

Day Album Artist Notes
1 Juicy Lucy Juicy Lucy -
The Monkees Present The Monkees -
6 Get Together with Andy Williams Andy Williams -
9 Ticket to Ride Carpenters Previously titled as Offering.
10 Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) The Kinks -
Hot Rats Frank Zappa -
In the Court of the Crimson King King Crimson Debut
13 Give Me Your Love for Christmas Johnny Mathis Christmas
14 Elvis in Person at the International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada Elvis Presley Live
Rhymes and Reasons John Denver Debut
16 Captured Live at the Forum Three Dog Night Live
20 Wedding Album John Lennon and Yoko Ono -
22 Led Zeppelin II Led Zeppelin -
27 Second Winter Johnny Winter -
29 Willy and the Poor Boys Creedence Clearwater Revival
Live at Yankee Stadium The Isley Brothers Live
Basket of Light Pentangle -
Affectionately Melanie Melanie Safka -
The Battle of North West Six Keef Hartley -
Keep On Moving The Butterfield Blues Band -
Clear Spirit
The Deviants 3 The Deviants -
Free Free -
The Hunter Ike & Tina Turner
Renaissance Renaissance Debut
Tom Jones Live in Las Vegas Tom Jones Live
Turtle Soup The Turtles -

November

Day Album Artist Notes
3 Cream of the Crop Diana Ross & the Supremes -
Four in Blue The Miracles -
4 The Allman Brothers Band The Allman Brothers Band -
7 Ummagumma Pink Floyd Double LP; live + studio
Manfred Mann Chapter Three Manfred Mann Chapter Three -
Valentyne Suite Colosseum -
10 Ballad of Easy Rider The Byrds -
Live/Dead Grateful Dead Double LP; live
14 David Bowie David Bowie Re-titled Space Oddity
The Autumn Stone Small Faces compilation
Touching You, Touching Me Neil Diamond -
17 Eight Miles High Golden Earring -
21 To Our Children's Children's Children The Moody Blues -
24 Blue Afternoon Tim Buckley -
29 Almendra Almendra -
- Volunteers Jefferson Airplane -
Mott the Hoople Mott the Hoople -
A Way of Life The Family Dogg -
Scott 4 Scott Walker -
Changing Horses The Incredible String Band -
Hollies Sing Hollies The Hollies -
Joe Cocker! Joe Cocker -
Joy of a Toy Kevin Ayers -
Keynsham Bonzo Dog Band -
Monster Steppenwolf -
The Rod Stewart Album Rod Stewart US; released Feb. 13, 1970, in UK as An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down
Rock Salt & Nails Steve Young -
The Spice of Life (Marlena Shaw album) Marlena Shaw -
100 Ton Chicken Chicken Shack -
Town and Country Humble Pie -
Your Saving Grace Steve Miller Band -

December

Day Album Artist Notes
5 Let It Bleed The Rolling Stones -
Completely Well B.B. King -
12 Live Peace in Toronto 1969 Plastic Ono Band -
18 Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 The Jackson 5 -
29 Grand Funk Grand Funk Railroad -
Okie from Muskogee Merle Haggard and the Strangers -
31 Out Here Love -
- Concerto for Group and Orchestra Deep Purple & the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Live
6- and 12-String Guitar Leo Kottke -
Blue Cheer Blue Cheer -
Ceremony Spooky Tooth and Pierre Henry -
Liege & Lief Fairport Convention -

Release date unknown

Billboard Top popular records of 1969

from Billboard December 27, 1969

TOP RECORDS OF 1969 (Based on Billboard Charts) The information compiled for the Top Records of 1969 was based on the weekly chart positioning and length of time records were on the respective charts from the Billboard issue dates of January 4, 1969, through December 13, 1969. These recaps, as well as the weekly charts, do not reflect actual sales figures. The ratings take into account the number of weeks the disk was on the chart, plus the weekly positions it held during its chart life. Each disk was given points accordingly for its respective chart. These recaps were compiled by the staff of the Billboard Popularity Charts Department, under the direction of Andy Tomko. NOTE: Since the singles charts listed the most popular single sides and not the single record (with both sides) for the first 47 weeks of the year, the recaps list single sides in order of strength. In the case of a two-sided hit single, both sides were listed in the recaps based on the individual strength on the weekly chart.

The 1969 Billboard year-end list is composed of records that entered the Billboard Hot 100 during November–December 1968 (only when the majority of chart weeks were in 1969), January to November–December 1969 (majority of chart weeks in 1969). Records with majority of chart weeks in 1968 or 1970 are included in the year-end charts for those years, respectively, and multiple appearances are not permitted. Each week thirty points were awarded to the number one record, then nineteen points for number two, eighteen points for number three, and so on. The total points a record earned determined its year-end rank. The complete chart life of each record is represented. There are no ties, even when multiple records have the same number of points. The next ranking category is peak chart position, then weeks at peak chart position, weeks in top ten, weeks in top forty, and finally weeks on Hot 100 chart.

The chart can be sorted by Artist, Song title, Recording and Release dates, Cashbox year-end ranking (CB) or units sold (sales) by clicking on the column header. Additional details for each record can be accessed by clicking on the song title, and referring to the Infobox in the right column of the song page. Billboard also has chart summaries on its website. Cashbox rankings were derived by same process as the Billboard rankings. Sales information was derived from the RIAA's Gold and Platinum database, the BRIT Certified database and The Book of Golden Discs, but numbers listed should be regarded as estimates. Grammy Hall of Fame and National Recording Registry information with sources can be found on Wikipedia.

Rank Artist Title Label Recorded Release Date CB Sales Charts, Awards
1 The 5th Dimension "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)" Soul City 772 December 1968 March 1, 1969 1 8.00 US Billboard 1969 #1, Hot100 #1 for 6 weeks, 17 total weeks, 284 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 2004
2 The Archies "Sugar, Sugar" Calendar 63-1008 April 1969 May 24, 1969 2 6.00 US Billboard 1969 #2, Hot100 #1 for 4 weeks, 22 total weeks, 270 points
3 The Rolling Stones "Honky Tonk Women" London 910 June 12, 1969 July 11, 1969 3 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #3, Hot100 #1 for 4 weeks, 15 total weeks, 242 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 2014
4 The Beatles with Billy Preston "Get Back" Apple 2490 January 28, 1969 May 5, 1969 4 8.00 Top Rock Tracks 1969 #3, US Billboard 1969 #4, Hot100 #1 for 5 weeks, 12 total weeks, 226 points
5 Zager and Evans "In The Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus)" RCA Victor 74-0174 March 1969 April 1969 5 8.00 US Billboard 1969 #5, Hot100 #1 for 6 weeks, 13 total weeks, 224 points
6 Sly and the Family Stone "Everyday People" Epic 10407 September 1968 November 1, 1968 7 1.25 US Billboard 1969 #6, Hot100 #1 for 4 weeks, 19 total weeks, 218 points
7 Tommy James and the Shondells "Crimson And Clover" Roulette 7028 November 1968 December 1968 14 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #7, Hot100 #1 for 2 weeks, 16 total weeks, 216 points
8 Tommy Roe "Dizzy" ABC 11164 October 1968 November 13, 1968 9 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #8, Hot100 #1 for 4 weeks, 15 total weeks, 204 points
9 The Temptations "I Can't Get Next To You" Gordy 7093 July 3, 1969 July 30, 1969 19 1.25 US Billboard 1969 #9, Hot100 #1 for 2 week, 17 total weeks, 204 points, Top Soul Singles 1969 #1, Hot Soul Singles #1 for 5 weeks, 15 total weeks, 288 points
10 Peter, Paul and Mary "Leaving on a Jet Plane" Warner Bros. 7340 December 1966 September 18, 1969 13 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #10, Hot100 #1 for 1 week, 17 total weeks, 197 points, Top Easy Listening Singles 1969 #5, Easy Listening Singles #1 for 3 weeks, 16 total weeks, 212 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 1998
11 The 5th Dimension "Wedding Bell Blues" Soul City 779 December 1968 September 1969 6 8.00 US Billboard 1969 #11, Hot100 #1 for 3 weeks, 15 total weeks, 193 points
12 The Beatles "Come Together" Apple 2654 July 30, 1969 October 6, 1969 10 8.00 Top Rock Tracks 1969 #7, US Billboard 1969 #12, Hot100 #1 for 1 week, 16 total weeks, 186 points
13 Diana Ross and the Supremes "Someday We'll Be Together" Motown 1156 June 13, 1969 October 14, 1969 12 2.00 US Billboard 1969 #13, Hot100 #1 for 1 week, 16 total weeks, 181 points, Top Soul Singles 1969 #3, Hot Soul Singles #1 for 4 weeks, 15 total weeks, 254 points
14 The Beatles "Something" Apple 2654 August 1969 October 6, 1969 26 8.00 US Billboard 1969 #14, Hot100 #1 for 1 week, 16 total weeks, 177 points
15 Steam "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" Fontana 1667 July 1969 August 1969 31 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #15, Hot100 #1 for 2 weeks, 16 total weeks, 170 points
16 Henry Mancini, His Orchestra And Chorus "Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet" Uni 55066 February 1969 March 1969 17 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #16, Hot100 #1 for 2 weeks, 14 total weeks, 168 points
17 The Cowsills "Hair" MGM 13810 January 1969 February 1969 8 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #17, Hot100 #2 for 2 weeks, 15 total weeks, 158 points
18 Tommy James and the Shondells "Crystal Blue Persuasion" Atlantic 2537 November 1968 May 1969 35 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #18, Hot100 #2 for 3 weeks, 15 total weeks, 157 points
19 Creedence Clearwater Revival "Proud Mary" Fantasy 619 October 1968 December 28, 1968 36 1.25 Top Rock Tracks 1969 #4, US Billboard 1969 #19, Hot100 #2 for 3 weeks, 14 total weeks, 149 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 1998
20 The Foundations "Build Me Up Buttercup" Uni 55101 April 1968 December 3, 1968 11 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #20, Hot100 #3 for 3 weeks, 15 total weeks, 148 points
21 Elvis Presley "Suspicious Minds" RCA Victor 47-9764 January 22, 1969 August 26, 1969 15 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #21, Hot100 #1 for 1 week, 15 total weeks, 144 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 1999
22 Sly and the Family Stone "Hot Fun in the Summertime" Epic 10555 May 1969 July 21, 1969 68 1.25 US Billboard 1969 #22, Hot100 #2 for 2 weeks, 16 total weeks, 143 points
23 Blood, Sweat and Tears "Spinning Wheel" Columbia 44871 October 1968 May 1969 30 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #23, Hot100 #2 for 3 weeks, 13 total weeks, 141 points
24 Diana Ross and the Supremes and the Temptations "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" Motown 1135 October 1968 November 21, 1968 20 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #24, Hot100 #2 for 2 weeks, 13 total weeks, 140 points
25 Oliver "Jean" Crewe 334 April 1969 July 1969 27 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #25, Hot100 #2 for 2 weeks, 14 total weeks, 139 points, Top Easy Listening Singles 1969 #4, Easy Listening Singles #1 for 4 weeks, 14 total weeks, 232 points
26 Neil Diamond "Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)" Uni 55136 March 31, 1969 May 28, 1969 34 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #26, Hot100 #4 for 2 weeks, 14 total weeks, 138 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 2020, National Recording Registry 2018
27 Led Zeppelin "Whole Lotta Love" Atlantic 2690 August 1969 November 7, 1969 18 6.00 Top Rock Tracks 1969 #2, US Billboard 1969 #27, Hot100 #4 for 1 week, 15 total weeks, 137 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 2007
28 Johnny Cash "A Boy Named Sue" Columbia 44944 May 7, 1969 July 2, 1969 28 1.25 US Billboard 1969 #28, Hot100 #2 for 3 weeks, 12 total weeks, 136 points, Top Country Singles 1969 #4, Country Singles #1 for 5 weeks, 14 total weeks, 220 points, National Recording Registry 2003
29 Three Dog Night "One" Dunhill 4191 March 1969 April 1969 24 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #29, Hot100 #5 for 3 weeks, 16 total weeks, 136 points
30 Creedence Clearwater Revival "Bad Moon Rising" Fantasy 622 March 1969 April 1969 33 1.25 US Billboard 1969 #30, Hot100 #2 for 1 weeks, 14 total weeks, 135 points
31 The Doors "Touch Me" T-Neck 901 November 1968 December 1968 16 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #31, Hot100 #3 for 1 week, 13 total weeks, 135 points
32 The Isley Brothers "It's Your Thing" T-Neck 901 March 1969 March 1969 25 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #32, Hot100 #2 for 1 week, 14 total weeks, 133 points, Top Soul Singles 1969 #6, Hot Soul Singles #1 for 4 weeks, 14 total weeks, 240 points
33 Creedence Clearwater Revival "Green River" Fantasy 625 June 1969 July 1969 41 1.25 US Billboard 1969 #33, Hot100 #2 for 1 weeks, 13 total weeks, 132 points
34 Blood, Sweat and Tears "You've Made Me So Very Happy" Columbia 44776 October 16, 1968 February 1969 29 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #34, Hot100 #2 for 3 weeks, 13 total weeks, 131 points
35 Blood, Sweat and Tears "And When I Die" Columbia 45000 October 16, 1968 September 30, 1969 22 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #35, Hot100 #2 for 1 week, 13 total weeks, 128 points
36 Marvin Gaye "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" Tamla 54181 March 1969 April 2, 1969 60 6.00 US Billboard 1969 #36, Hot100 #4 for 1 week, 15 total weeks, 126 points, Top Soul Singles 1969 #2, Hot Soul Singles #1 for 6 weeks, 15 total weeks, 279 points
37 Creedence Clearwater Revival "Down on the Corner" Fantasy 634 August 1969 October 1969 100 1.25 US Billboard 1969 #37, Hot100 #3 for 1 week, 15 total weeks, 125 points

Billboard Top Soul Singles 1969

1 The Temptations "I Can't Get Next To You" see number 9.
2 Marvin Gaye "Too Busy Thinking 'Bout My Baby" see number 36.
3 Diana Ross and the Supremes "Someday We'll Be Together" see number 13.
4 Jr. Walker & The All Stars "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)" Soul 35062 August 1968 October 1968 52 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #43, Hot100 #5 for 2 weeks, 14 total weeks, 113 points, Top Soul Singles 1969 #4, Hot Soul Singles #1 for 2 weeks, 16 total weeks, 244 points
5 The Originals "Baby, I'm For Real" Soul 35066 August 7, 1968 August 1968 160 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #84, Hot100 #10 for 1 week, 11 total weeks, 59 points, Top Soul Singles 1969 #5, Hot Soul Singles #1 for 5 weeks, 17 total weeks, 243 points
6 The Isley Brothers "It's Your Thing" see number 32.

Billboard Top Country Singles 1969

1 Johnny Cash "Daddy Sang Bass" Columbia 44689 September 1968 November 6, 1968 187 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #286, Hot100 #42 for 2 weeks, 12 total weeks, Top Country Singles 1969 #1, Country Singles #1 for 6 weeks, 20 total weeks, 269 points
2 Charley Pride "(I'm So) Afraid of Losing You Again" RCA Victor 0265 August 28, 1968 October 1969 179 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #479, Hot100 #74 for 1 week, 16 total weeks, 4 points, Top Country Singles 1969 #2, Country Singles #1 for 3 weeks, 16 total weeks, 238 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 1999, National Recording Registry 2010
3 Merle Haggard and The Strangers "Okie From Muskogee" Capitol 2626 August 17, 1969 September 29, 1969 179 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #427, Hot100 #63 for 1 week, 6 total weeks, Top Country Singles 1969 #3, Country Singles #1 for 4 weeks, 16 total weeks, 227 points
4 Johnny Cash "A Boy Named Sue" see number 28.
5 Sonny James "Only the Lonely" Capitol 2370 December 1968 January 1969 187 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #580, Hot100 #92 for 2 weeks, 4 total weeks, Top Country Singles 1969 #5, Country Singles #1 for 3 weeks, 16 total weeks, 206 points

| Top Easy Listening Singles 1969

1 Sammy Davis Jr. "I've Gotta Be Me" Reprise 0779 October 26, 1968 December 14, 1968 44 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #98, Hot100 #11 for 1 week, 16 total weeks, 47 points, Top Easy Listening Singles 1969 #1, Easy Listening Singles #1 for 7 weeks, 20 total weeks, 320 points
2 Glen Campbell "Galveston" Capitol 2428 March 18, 1969 May 2, 1969 44 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #46, Hot100 #4 for 1 week, 12 total weeks, 107 points, Top Easy Listening Singles 1969 #2, Easy Listening Singles #1 for 6 weeks, 13 total weeks, 245 points
3 Frankie Laine "You Gave Me a Mountain" ABC 11174 Nov 25, 1968 Jan 4, 1969 44 1.00 US Billboard 1969 #171, Hot100 #24 for 2 weeks, 11 total weeks, Top Easy Listening Singles 1969 #3, Easy Listening Singles #1 for 2 weeks, 16 total weeks, 242 points
4 Oliver "Jean" see number 25
5 Peter, Paul & Mary "Leavin' On A Jet Plane" see number 10

Top Rock Tracks 1969 (unofficial)

1 The Allman Brothers Band "Whipping Post" Atco 308 August 7, 1969 November 4, 1969 44 Top Rock Tracks 1969 #1, from The Allman Brothers Band - Atco 308
2 Led Zeppelin "Whole Lotta Love" see number 27, from Led Zeppelin II - Atlantic 8236.
3 The Beatles "Get Back" see number 4, from Apple single 2490.
4 Creedence Clearwater Revival "Proud Mary" see number 19, from Bayou Country - Fantasy 8387.
5 Blind Faith "Can't Find My Way Home" Atco 304 March 1969 August 1969 Top Rock Tracks 1969 #5, from Blind Faith - Atco 304
6 The Who "We're Not Gonna Take It" Decca 732519 February 7, 1969 July 5, 1969 422 Top Rock Tracks 1969 #6, US Billboard 1969 #250b, from Tommy - Decca 7205
7 The Beatles "Come Together" see number 12, from Abbey Road - Apple 383.
8 Neil Young with Crazy Horse "Down by the River" Reprise 0836 January 17, 1969 May 14, 1969 1.00 Top Rock Tracks 1969 #8, from Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere - Reprise 6349
9 The Rolling Stones "Gimme Shelter" London 4 October 26, 1969 December 5, 1969 Top Rock Tracks 1969 #9, from Let It Bleed - London 4.
10 Jethro Tull "Living in the Past" Island 6056 March 18, 1969 May 2, 1969 Top Rock Tracks 1969 #10, from Island single 6056.
11 The Rolling Stones "Midnight Rambler" London 4 March 11, 1969 December 5, 1969 Top Rock Tracks 1969 #11, from Let It Bleed - London 4.

Other hit singles

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  • Nik CohnPop – From The Beginning (later editions as Awopbopaloobop Alopbamboom)

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