# Best of the Rest of the Top 40: 1969 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 23, 2015, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1969/710691 "2015-01-23T17:27:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1969/710691/1 "2015-01-23T17:27:24Z")
We come once again to the year of Woodstock, the Moon landing, and probably some other cool stuff as well. A surprising number of this year’s #1s didn’t make the year-end Top 40, so we have 28 songs in the running for this poll. What’s your favorite? Previous polls: [1956](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=744629) [1957](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=744819) [1958](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=744978) [1959](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=745151) [1960](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=745331) [1961](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=745525) [1962](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=745733) [1963](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=745956) [1964](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=746118) [1965](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=746342) [1966](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=746498) [1967](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=746735) [1968](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=746932) Best #1 single polls: [1955-56](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=731649) [1957](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=731871) [1958](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=732021) [1959](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=732199)[1960](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=732526) [1961](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=732691) [1962](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=732872) [1963](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=733112) [1964](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=733297) [1965](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=733526) [1966](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=733750) [1967](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=733958) [1968](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=734168) [1969](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=734331) [1970](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=734535) [1971](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=734741) [1972](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=735107) [1973](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=735304) [1974](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=735502) [1975](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=735659) [1976](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=735871) [1977](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=736076) [1978](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=736316) [1979](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=736501) [1980](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=736705) [1981](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=736957) [1982](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=737099) [1983](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=737315) [1984](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=737488) [1985](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=737732) [1986](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=737957) [1987](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=738178) [1988](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=738403) [1989](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=738639) [1990](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=738829) [1991](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=739067) [1992](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=739360) [1993](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=739525) [1994](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=739880) [1995](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=740122) [1996](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=740302) [1997](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=740497) [1998](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=740709) [1999](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=740859) [2000](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=741047) [2001](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=741267) [2002](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=741450) [2003](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=741604) [2004](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=741730) [2005](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=741915) [2006](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=742069) [2007](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=742147) [2008](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=742282) [2009](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=742467) [2010](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=742676) [2011](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=742846) [2012](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=675664) [2013](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=710843) [2014](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743899) [1950s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743046) [1960s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743240) [1970s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743399) [1980s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743597) [1990s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743803) [2000s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743981) [2010s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=744176) [All-time](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=744358) ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1969/710691/2 "2015-01-23T17:53:23Z")
A lot of good ones. Process of elimination gave me The Zombies - “Time of the Season”. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1969/710691/3 "2015-01-23T17:56:48Z")
It was going to be difficult until I came across the last one: “Time of the Season,” definitely. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1969/710691/4 "2015-01-23T18:27:54Z")
I’m not gonna jump on the Zombies bandwagon. Maybe if the song was “She’s Not There” instead of “Time of the Season,” but it’s not. I’m surprised that Spirit’s “I’ve Got a Line on You” isn’t on this list. I remember its being on the radio in Jan/Feb 1969. That song would have made my choice easy. Lots of good songs, but not one standout, AFAIAC. Have to think about this one. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1969/710691/5 "2015-01-23T19:03:18Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > I’m not gonna jump on the Zombies bandwagon. Maybe if the song was “She’s Not There” instead of “Time of the Season,” but it’s not. > > I’m surprised that Spirit’s “I’ve Got a Line on You” isn’t on this list. I remember its being on the radio in Jan/Feb 1969. That song would have made my choice easy. > > Lots of good songs, but not one standout, AFAIAC. Have to think about this one. Agree, “She’s Not There” is the better Zombies song, but I still think The Foundations take this one. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1969/710691/6 "2015-01-23T19:09:31Z")
I dunno. I prefer “Time of the Season” for its vibe to “She’s Not There” as well as the line “What’s your name, who’s you daddy? Is he rich like me?” which is one of my favorite rock lyrics ever. ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1969/710691/7 "2015-01-23T19:16:43Z")
Ones I like: “Crystal Blue Persuasion” “Grazing in the Grass” “My Cherie Amour” “Get Together” ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1969/710691/8 "2015-01-23T19:21:47Z")
I’ve noticed from these polls that the 1960’s had hits that were done instrumentally and in vocal form, often times the latter seems to be better. A prime example is “Grazing in the Grass” with this one being better than the 1968 #1 instrumental version. I think I may vote for that or “Crystal Blue Persuasion” which is Tommy James’ better songs. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1969/710691/9 "2015-01-23T20:17:12Z")
It’s probably CCR’s year, but I went with Sly. I also really like Jr. Walker’s song and The Zombies. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1969/710691/10 "2015-01-23T20:17:22Z")
Choosing just one song was rather tough this time. I picked “Proud Mary” but there were about 11 others I could’ve selected with no reservations. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1969/710691/11 "2015-01-23T22:10:46Z")
Crystal Blue Persuasion got my vote. Runners-up were Marvin Gaye, The Zombies, and both Three Dog Night songs. CCR is good, but I’m not as big a fan as The Dude is. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1969/710691/12 "2015-01-23T22:39:43Z")
Color me surprised that A Boy Named Sue has yet to garner a single vote. I narrowly went with “Bad Moon Rising” over it because I expected it to win handily. ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1969/710691/13 "2015-01-24T01:15:35Z")
Friends of Distinction “Grazing in the Grass” got my vote, with Stevie in second and Tommy James in third place. CCR holds the record for most #2 hits without ever hitting #1. Overall I am not enamored with their music. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1969/710691/14 "2015-01-24T12:28:32Z")
What a great list of songs! After much thought, I picked the Blood, Sweat, and Tears song --musically accomplished, and both of its time and ahead of it. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1969/710691/15 "2015-01-24T21:19:34Z")
“Baby, It’s You”, by The Smiths, no question. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1969/710691/16 "2015-01-24T22:17:55Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > “Baby, It’s You”, by The Smiths, no question. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Octarine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/22d042/32.png) [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1969/710691/17 "2015-01-24T22:22:51Z")
This is a surprisingly good list. I chose “Proud Mary” - it’s the quintessential Creedence song to me, and it just rocks. “Buttercup” “Time of the Season” and “A Boy Named Sue” were all close. (_And if I ever have a son, I think I’m gonna name him . . . Bill or George! Anything but Sue! I still hate that name!_)