The UK Singles Chart is one of many music charts compiled by the Official Charts Company that calculates the best-selling singles of the week in the United Kingdom.[1] Before 2004, the chart was only based on the sales of physical singles.[2][3] This list shows singles that peaked in the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart during 1969, as well as singles which peaked in 1968 and 1970 but were in the top 10 in 1969. The entry date is when the single appeared in the top 10 for the first time (week ending, as published by the Official Charts Company, which is six days after the chart is announced).
The 1968 Christmas number-one, "Lily the Pink" by The Scaffold, remained in the top 10 for the first weeks of 1969. The first new number-one single of the year was "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" by Marmalade. Overall, eighteen different singles peaked at number-one in 1969, with The Beatles (2) having the joint most singles hit that position.
Background
Multiple entries
One-hundred and fifteen singles charted in the top 10 in 1969, with one-hundred and five singles reaching their peak this year.
Thirty-one artists scored multiple entries in the top 10 in 1969. John Lennon secured the record for most top 10 hits in 1969 with four hit singles.
Controversial French-language song reaches number-one
1969 saw a foreign-language song reach number-one in the UK Singles Chart for the first time in the chart's history; "Je t'aime... moi non plus" by Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg. The controversial French-language song was banned in several countries due to its overtly sexual content.
"Je t'aime..." was originally released in the UK by Fontana Records and the Fontana release entered the UK top 10 at number eight on 31 August 1969 (6 September 1969, week ending). However, after it had reached number two, Fontana deleted the single, allegedly because the wife of Fontana's boss was appalled at her husband's company releasing such a song. After this, "Je t'aime..." was picked up by Major Minor Records, who acquired the song's licensing rights and re-released the record. On 28 September 1969 (4 October 1969, week ending), the Major Minor release entered the UK chart at number three, while the Fontana release dropped out of the top 10 completely. The following week, the Major Minor release reached number-one, where it remained for one week.
The following table (collapsed on desktop site) does not include acts who had previously charted as part of a group and secured their first top 10 solo single.
Robin Gibb was a member of the chart-topping British group Bee Gees, who had their first top 10 entry in 1967. His number two single "Saved by the Bell" was his debut appearance in the chart as a solo artist. Cass Elliot (known professionally as Mama Cass) sang in the band The Mamas & the Papas from 1965 to 1968 until they broke up. "It's Getting Better" was her only solo recording to reach the top 10 on the UK chart.
Until 1970 there was no universally recognised year-end best-sellers list. However, in 2011 the Official Charts Company released a list of the best-selling single of each year in chart history from 1952 to date. According to the list, "Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies is officially recorded as the biggest-selling single of 1969.
Top-ten singles
Key
Symbol
Meaning
‡
Single peaked in 1968 but still in chart in 1969.
♦
Single released in 1969 but peaked in 1970.
(#)
Year-end best-selling single.
Entered
The date that the single first appeared in the chart.
Peak
Highest position that the single reached in the UK Singles Chart.
Creedence Clearwater Revival earned two UK top 10 hits this year, including "Bad Moon Rising", which spent three weeks at number-one.Desmond Dekker (pictured in 2005) became the first reggae artist to have a number-one hit in the UK Singles Chart when his song "Israelites" reached the top spot for one week in April 1969. Dekker achieved a second top 10 hit in July with "It Miek", which peaked at number seven.Lou Christie reached the UK top 10 for the only time in his career in October of this year with "I'm Gonna Make You Mine", which peaked at number two.Irish singer Joe Dolan (pictured in 1975) achieved his only UK top 10 single in 1969 with "Make Me an Island", which peaked at number three in August.
The following table shows artists who achieved two or more top 10 entries in 1969, including singles that reached their peak in 1968 or 1970. The figures include both main artists and featured artists, while appearances on ensemble charity records are also counted for each artist. The total number of weeks an artist spent in the top ten in 1969 is also shown.
f "The Tracks of My Tears" re-entered the top 10 at number 10 on 1 July 1969 (week ending).
g "Je t'aime... moi non plus" was originally released in the UK by Fontana Records and the Fontana release enjoyed a four-week run in the top 10 from 6 September 1969 (week ending). After Fontana deleted the single during its UK chart ascent, it was picked up by Major Minor Records, who acquired the song's licensing rights and re-released the record. The Major Minor release enjoyed a five-week run in the top 10 from 4 October 1969 (week ending) and reached number-one on 11 October 1969 (week ending).
h "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" re-entered the top 10 at number 10 on 13 December 1969 (week ending).
i "The Liquidator" re-entered the top 10 at number 10 on 10 January 1970 (week ending).
j Figure includes single that first charted in 1968 but peaked in 1969.
k Figure includes three top 10 hits with the group The Beatles.
l Figure includes two top 10 hits with the group Bee Gees.
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