VOA标准英语2014--Top 5 Countdown for Week Ending July 5

 

Top 5 Countdown for Week Ending July 5

We’re spotlighting¹ the five most popular songs in the Billboard² Hot 100 pop singles chart, for the week ending July 5, 2014.

The United States of America celebrates its 238th birthday this week, while we also celebrate two new singles in the Top Five list!

Let’s start in fifth place, where transatlantic sensation Sam Smith jumps five slots with “Stay With Me.” Sam carries an interesting back story: not only is he a third cousin of fellow singer Lily Allen, his mother went to court to help him achieve stardom. Five years ago, Kate Cassidy, a London banker earning upwards³ of $1 million a year, was sacked when her employer alleged⁴ she spent too much time managing 16-year-old Sam’s career. Kate responded by suing the company…and her son is now a star.

Also new to the lineup is the duo of Nico & Vinz. These two bring an international outlook to their music; I’ll have more after “Am I Wrong,” jumping three slots to number four. Born and raised in Norway, Nico Sereba and Vincent Dery are both of West African descent. They called themselves Envy before changing their name in January of this year.

Holding in third place is MAGIC!, the Canadian reggae outfit⁵ which based its breakout song "Rude" on a real event. Lead singer Nasri says he was in an unhealthy relationship with a girl. Once, after they fought, he came up with the lyrics⁶ to “Rude,” but later re-cast the song to address a disapproving⁷ father.

Staying put in second place is Ariana Grande and Iggy Azalea with “Problem.” Ariana’s second album now carries a title and release date: My Everything drops on August 25 here in the United States. Guests include Big Sean, Childish Gambino, and The Weeknd, with songwriting from Max Martin, Ryan Tedder⁸ of OneRepublic, and Harry⁹ Styles of One Direction.

Iggy Azalea rules the Hot 100 for a fifth week with “Fancy,” featuring Charli XCX. Did Nicki Minaj toss a verbal dart¹⁰ at Iggy on national TV?  On June 29 at the BET Awards, Nicki Minaj seemed to be speaking about Iggy when she said, in effect, she writes her own songs…but Iggy Azalea doesn’t. The comment came a few weeks after Nicki criticized Iggy in a radio interview.

We’re at the end of the line, but the chart never sleeps! Join us next week for an all-new lineup.

1 spotlighting   

v.聚光照明( spotlight的现在分词 )；使公众注意，使突出醒目

参考例句：

2 billboard   

n.布告板，揭示栏，广告牌

参考例句：

• He ploughed his energies into his father's billboard business.他把精力投入到父亲的广告牌业务中。
• Billboard spreads will be simpler and more eye-catching.广告牌广告会比较简单且更引人注目。

3 upwards   

adv.向上，在更高处...以上

参考例句：

• The trend of prices is still upwards.物价的趋向是仍在上涨。
• The smoke rose straight upwards.烟一直向上升。

4 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

5 outfit   

n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装

参考例句：

• Jenney bought a new outfit for her daughter's wedding.珍妮为参加女儿的婚礼买了一套新装。
• His father bought a ski outfit for him on his birthday.他父亲在他生日那天给他买了一套滑雪用具。

6 lyrics   

n.歌词

参考例句：

• music and lyrics by Rodgers and Hart 由罗杰斯和哈特作词作曲
• The book contains lyrics and guitar tablatures for over 100 songs. 这本书有100多首歌的歌词和吉他奏法谱。

7 disapproving   

adj.不满的，反对的v.不赞成( disapprove的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Mother gave me a disapproving look. 母亲的眼神告诉我她是不赞成的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Her father threw a disapproving glance at her. 她父亲不满地瞥了她一眼。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 tedder   

n.（干草）翻晒者，翻晒机

参考例句：

• Jim Tedder has more. 吉姆？特德将给我们做更多的介绍。 来自互联网
• Jim Tedder tells us more. 吉姆？泰德给我们带来更详细的报道。 来自互联网

9 harry   

vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼

参考例句：

• Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天，人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。
• Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。

10 dart   

v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲

参考例句：

• The child made a sudden dart across the road.那小孩突然冲过马路。
• Markov died after being struck by a poison dart.马尔科夫身中毒镖而亡。