VOA慢速英语2014 Top 5 Countdown for Week Ending Aug. 16（在线收听）

Top 5 Countdown for Week Ending Aug. 16

We’re looking at the five most popular songs in the Billboard 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 outlets reported she’s dating rapper Big Sean…he supplies the whispering voice in “Problem.” In addition, Ariana’s brother Frankie is a contestant 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 trophy, 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 embark upon a 2015 arena 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.