美国国家公共电台 NPR The Eagles Have The Best-Selling Album Of All Time ... For Now

 

(SOUNDBITE OF MICHAEL JACKSON SONG, "THRILLER¹")

AILSA CHANG, HOST:

All respect to Michael Jackson, but when it comes to the best-selling albums of all time, the king of pop has just been dethroned. His 1982 album "Thriller" is now the second-best-selling album of all time according to the Recording² Industry Association of America - second despite going platinum³ 33 times.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "THRILLER")

MICHAEL JACKSON: (Singing) Because this is thriller, thriller night.

CHANG: And who now claims the crown? Who has gone platinum 38 times?

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "TAKE IT EASY")

EAGLES: (Singing) Take it easy. Take it easy.

CHANG: The Eagles - for their 1976 album titled "Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)." And this is not the first time the Eagles and Michael Jackson have dueled⁴ for the top spot.

ALISON ELLWOOD: The only album that ever out sold the Eagles' "Greatest Hits" was Michael Jackson's "Thriller."

CHANG: That's Alison Ellwood. She directed the 2013 documentary "History Of The Eagles."

ELLWOOD: It's great news for the band. And I'm thrilled for them - no pun intended - that they've beaten "Thriller" out. And hopefully more people will listen to the music as a result.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "DESPERADO")

EAGLES: (Singing) Desperado, why...

ELLWOOD: The songs came to define moments in our lives. You know, they evoke⁵ memories. It's something about those guys that were in that band that had something very magical. And the music captures it.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "DESPERADO")

EAGLES: (Singing) Oh, you're a hard one.

CHANG: OK, so to recap, the artists holding the best-selling albums of all time - we got the Eagles at number one, Michael Jackson at number two. And number three, it's the Eagles again for their album "Hotel California."

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "HOTEL CALIFORNIA")

EAGLES: (Singing) Welcome to the Hotel California.

CHANG: Even though they've landed on two of the top three perches⁶, the Eagles should stay alert. Jonathan Lamy is the executive director of communication at RIAA, the group keeping track of this musical achievement. And he says best-selling album positions can and will change.

JONATHAN LAMY: That list is going to be competitive. You've got to stay tuned⁷. You've got to keep an eye on it because I have no doubt it's not going to be the exact list it is now in five years.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "ONE OF THESE NIGHTS")

EAGLES: (Singing) One of these nights, one of these crazy old nights, we're going to find out, pretty mama, what turns on your lights.

1 thriller   

n.惊险片，恐怖片

参考例句：

• He began by writing a thriller.That book sold a million copies.他是写惊险小说起家的。那本书卖了一百万册。
• I always take a thriller to read on the train.我乘火车时，总带一本惊险小说看。

2 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

3 platinum   

n.白金

参考例句：

• I'll give her a platinum ring.我打算送给她一枚白金戒指。
• Platinum exceeds gold in value.白金的价值高于黄金。

4 dueled   

vt.使（另一人）参加决斗（duel的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• In the 19th century, men often dueled over small matters. 19世纪人们经常为了小事而决斗。 来自互联网
• Ionce dueled with puppy LuLu, because she robbed Ktten JiJi of a fish. 我曾和小狗鲁鲁决斗，因为它抢了猫咪吉吉的小鱼。 来自互联网

5 evoke   

vt.唤起，引起，使人想起

参考例句：

• These images are likely to evoke a strong response in the viewer.这些图像可能会在观众中产生强烈反响。
• Her only resource was the sympathy she could evoke.她以凭借的唯一力量就是她能从人们心底里激起的同情。

6 perches   

栖息处( perch的名词复数 )； 栖枝； 高处； 鲈鱼

参考例句：

• Other protection can be obtained by providing wooden perches througout the orchards. 其它保护措施是可在种子园中到处设置木制的栖木。
• The birds were hopping about on their perches and twittering. 鸟儿在栖木上跳来跳去，吱吱地叫着。

7 tuned   

adj.调谐的，已调谐的v.调音( tune的过去式和过去分词 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调

参考例句：

• The resort is tuned in to the tastes of young and old alike. 这个度假胜地适合各种口味，老少皆宜。
• The instruments should be tuned up before each performance. 每次演出开始前都应将乐器调好音。 来自《简明英汉词典》