VOA慢速英语2014 Top 5 Countdown for Week Ending Aug. 16

 

Top 5 Countdown for Week Ending Aug. 16

We’re looking at the five most popular songs in the Billboard¹ Hot 100 pop singles chart, for the week ending August 16, 2014.

Next week we’ll likely welcome an all-new title to the lineup…but that’s next week. For now, we’re visiting with the same old friends.

We start in fifth place, where Ariana Grande and Iggy Azalea stay put with their double-platinum hit “Problem.”  Ariana hit the gossip pages this week, when outlets² reported she’s dating rapper Big Sean…he supplies the whispering voice in “Problem.” In addition, Ariana’s brother Frankie is a contestant³ on the U.S. reality show Big Brother 16…and last week he revealed his true identity to the other house members.

Another week, another fourth-place showing for Nico & Vinz and  their international breakout hit “Am I Wrong.” Over in the United Kingdom, however, the Norwegian duo does much better. The duo toppled MAGIC! to become the number one act on the U.K. pop singles chart - the first Norwegian act in nearly three decades to earn that honor. Back in 1986, A-Ha hit the British bulls-eye with “The Sun Always Shines On TV.”

The sun’s not shining on Iggy Azalea this week, as she and Charli XCX slip a slot to third place with their former champ “Fancy.” Iggy made out well at the Teen Choice Awards on August 10. She collected three awards: R&B/Hip-Hop Artist, and Choice R&B/Hip-Hop Song, both for “Fancy.” She also shared the Choice Song: Female Artist trophy⁴, which went to “Problem” by Ariana Grande featuring Iggy.

Sam Smith jumps a slot to second place with “Stay With Me.” Sam is reportedly in talks with studio bosses to sing the next James Bond theme song. If things work out, we’ll hear him next year. Sam would join such superstars as Paul McCartney, Duran Duran, Tina Turner, Madonna, and, of course, Adele…who won an Oscar for her work on Skyfall.

There’s only one winner this week: MAGIC! The Canadian band spends a fourth week atop the Hot 100 with “Rude.” What’s next for the band? Touring, mostly: they hit North American festivals into October, then embark⁵ upon a 2015 arena⁶ tour supporting a yet-to-be-announced headliner.

That’s it for now, but the charts never sleep! Drop by next week and we’ll do it all again.

1 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。

2 outlets   

n.出口( outlet的名词复数 )；经销店；插座；廉价经销店

参考例句：

• The dumping of foreign cotton blocked outlets for locally grown cotton. 外国棉花的倾销阻滞了当地生产的棉花的销路。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• They must find outlets for their products. 他们必须为自己的产品寻找出路。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 contestant   

n.竞争者，参加竞赛者

参考例句：

• The company will furnish each contestant with a free ticket.公司将为每个参赛者免费提供一张票。
• The personal appearance and interview of the contestant is another count.参加比赛者的个人仪表和谈话也是一项。

4 trophy   

n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品

参考例句：

• The cup is a cherished trophy of the company.那只奖杯是该公司很珍惜的奖品。
• He hung the lion's head as a trophy.他把那狮子头挂起来作为狩猎纪念品。

5 embark   

vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机

参考例句：

• He is about to embark on a new business venture.他就要开始新的商业冒险活动。
• Many people embark for Europe at New York harbor.许多人在纽约港乘船去欧洲。

6 arena   

n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台

参考例句：

• She entered the political arena at the age of 25. 她25岁进入政界。
• He had not an adequate arena for the exercise of his talents.他没有充分发挥其才能的场所。