Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 1968.
For previous top ten tunes, please click on the year: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
The Krays sipping a lovely cuppa- nice lads.
In 1968, Mauritius gains independence from the UK, motor racing world champion Jim Clark is killed at 32yrs when his car leaves the racing track and smashes in to a tree in Hockenheim, the new Abortion Act comes into effect allowing abortions in certain circumstances and provided free n the NHS, Martin Luther King is assassinated by James Earl Ray which leads to rioting across the US, the first Isle of Wight festival takes place, British tennis player Virginia Wade wins the US Open, the M1 motorway is completed, the Olympics take place in Mexico– which sees the Black Power Salute during a medal ceremony, anti-Vietnam protests take place in London, Mary Bell an 11yr old girl is sentenced to life imprisonment for the killing of two young boys, Senator Robert Kennedy is assassinated, the Kray twins are arrested for the murder of two underworld gang members and the films 2001: a Space Odyssey, Rosemary’s Baby, Bullitt, Night of the Living Dead, Planet of the Apes, Romeo and Juliet, Yellow Submarine, Funny Girl, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Oliver! are released.
When a playlist starts with Stevie Wonder and then goes onto Aretha Franklin then onto the Beatles and ends with the Mamas & Papas and also features both Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding, you know the 60s were everything and yes once again I could cry. Here’s all those gems from 1968, in no particular order.
1. For Once in My Life by Stevie Wonder
2. Think by Aretha Franklin
3. Lady Madonna by the Beatles
4. Son of a Preacher Man by Dusty Springfield
5. Build Me Up by The Foundations
6. I Heard it Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye
7. Everyday People by Sly and the Family Stone
8. Piece of My Heart by Big Brother & The Holding Company (Janis Joplin)
9. (Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding
10. Dream a Little Dream by Mamas and the Papas
Aretha & the Beatles are very close seconds, but it’s Marvin that is my favourite this week (one of the most perfect beginnings for a song ever).
See you next week for 1969!
Just Another Blog From a Woman 
All of them are my favourite, every single one. LOVE this week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
1968 is AMAZING, isn’t it? I agree- they are ALL favourites.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nope, no can do, in all good conscience I cannot choose one out of that group, I have far too many favourites. What a great list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha. 1968 might have actually been peak-music. Such an awesome year of music.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a year! The Mary Bell case was particularly shocking here wasn’t it? Right favourite song is such a difficult choice again! I think I will have to go with Aretha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes the whole Mary Bell story was pretty horrific. Ah and Queen Aretha- excellent choice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rather bizarrely, I can remember exactly where I was and why I was there when I heard about Bobby Kennedy being shot, even though I had no idea who he was.
My favourite song in 1968 was probably “Where is love?” from Oliver. Coincidentally someone was slaughtering it in the shopping precinct this morning. The soundtrack from Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang was much less memorable.
Your top ten is great, but I certainly wasn’t aware of all of them at the time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Kennedys really haven’t had much, have they? Oh of course- the Oliver soundtrack. Now I’m thinking I should’ve have made my top 10 purely songs from Oliver. As Long As He Needs Me is my favourite.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As Long as He Needs Me is my second favourite, although I do like the one where the people in the street are singing about their wares.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very hard to pick just one, but if I really, really had to, it would be Think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tuuuuuuune.
LikeLike
All amazing again, but I think The Dock of the Bay just about wins for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh it’s just so perfect. It would’ve been wonderful to see how Otis’s music would have evolved if he hadn’t had died so young. He was just starting to try a new sound with this song. So sad, but what a legacy to leave us all with.
LikeLike
Every time I hear the opening it’s ooh chills.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely.
LikeLike
Some of those outfits are pretty amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Family Stone in particular were on point.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just cannot choose💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know the feeling! X
LikeLike
🤗🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person