Many a baby boomer out there got to enjoy some absolutely otherworldly hit pop songs in 1968. It was a solid year for mainstream music, and they really don’t make ‘em like they used to. Let’s take a look at just a few fan favorites that are still unforgettable after all these years.
“Honey (I Miss You)” by Bobby Goldsboro from ‘Honey’
This country pop song from Bobby Goldsboro was one of the biggest hit songs of 1968. “Honey (I Miss You)” was originally recorded with Kingston Trio’s former member Bob Shane, but it was Goldsboro who turned the song into a smash. “Honey” peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and did similarly well in Canada, the UK, and other countries.
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“Hey Jude” by The Beatles
We couldn’t skip The Beatles on our list of classic pop jams from 1968 that baby boomers still love. Naturally, I went with the song “Hey Jude”. This standalone single was tenderly written by Paul McCartney as a ballad for John Lennon’s young son Julian, who was struggling in the wake of his parents’ divorce. It’s such a positive and uplifting song that still speaks to people today. It’s no surprise that “Hey Jude” peaked at No. 1 across the board globally.
“Mrs. Robinson” by Simon & Garfunkel from ‘Bookends’
This catchy folk rock tune by famed duo Simon & Garfunkel is easily one of their most memorable songs, if not the catchiest of their career together. Written by Paul Simon, “Mrs. Robinson” has gone on to be an anthem of sorts for the late 1960s, and it makes an appearance in plenty of films from and about the time. After all, it became famous for its inclusion on the soundtrack for the 1967 film The Graduate. “Mrs. Robinson” peaked at No. 1 in the US and reached the Top 10 just about everywhere else.
“(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay” by Otis Redding from ‘The Dock Of The Bay’
Another ultra-catchy pop hit from 1968 makes it to our list of songs baby boomers still love. And I bet you know all the words to its chorus. “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay” is bittersweet in the sense that it was recorded just three days before Otis Redding’s tragic death in 1967, and it was released posthumously. Historically, it’s the first posthumous No. 1 hit single in US Billboard chart history.
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(Original Caption) A singer called Joni. Joni Mitchell, Canadian singer-songwriter, United Kingdom, 1968. The guitar-pickin' gal is Joni Mitchell, a long blonde haired Canadian folk singer. Pictured last night outside the Revolution club, Joni is here (until 1st October) for radio, television and concert appearances. Apart from concert appearances, 25 year old Joni will be heard on "Top Gear" on Radio One and "The Monday Show" on BBC 1. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images) -
English rock band the Beatles arrive at London Airport from the USA, with their manager Brian Epstein (1934 – 1967, in coach doorway), 2nd September 1965. From left to right, John Lennon (1940 – 1980), George Harrison (1943 – 2001), Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. (Photo by George Stroud/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
George Jones, who released several country songs about whiskey -
Elvis Presley and Scotty Moore (left) performing on The Milton Berle Show at NBC's Hollywood studio, Los Angeles, California, 5th June 1956. Presley performed 'I Want You, I Need You, I Love You' and 'Hound Dog'. Press reaction to his performance was largely negative with his gyrating movements during 'Hound Dog' proving particularly controversial. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) -
Singer and musician Merle Haggard performs at the Poplar Creek Music Theater, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, August 16, 1983. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) -
John Rzeznik of Goo Goo Dolls at event, New York, 1990s. (Photo by Steve Eichner/Getty Images) -
Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images -
Pop group The Byrds (l to r): Chris Hillman; Dave Crosby; Mike Clark; Jim McGuinn; and Gene Clark. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)