VOA常速英语:Top 5 Songs for Week Ending October 26

We're rolling the five most popular songs in the Billboard Magazine Hot 100 pop singles chart, for the week ending October 26, 2013.
 
It’s a youth movement atop this week’s hit list, with a 16-year-old battling a 20-year-old for chart supremacy.

Let’s begin in fifth place, where Drake featuring the duo Majid Jordan stays put with “Hold On, We’re Going Home.” Drake left fans disappointed last weekend - when on Saturday the 19th, he canceled a show in Philadelphia one hour after it was scheduled to begin. A spokesperson for the venue says the cancellation arose from technical issues and the show has been moved to December 18.

Also holding in place is Avicii and “Wake Me Up!” A top British DJ credits Avicii with elevating dance music to a new level. The legendary British DJ/producer Pete Tong says Avicii and Calvin Harris have saved dance music, combining its sound with pop to create a new and powerful hybrid.

It’s a big week for Katy Perry. Her Prism album arrived on October 22, and that’s not all: she celebrates a special day on the 25th. She retreats a slot to third place with her former chart-topper “Roar.”  Katy was born Katheryn Hudson in Santa Barbara, California - and sang gospel-rock when she released her debut album in 2001. Seven years later, Katy re-emerged with her current pop-oriented approach, and it’s been gold and platinum hits ever since.

Rebounding is Miley Cyrus, who apparently has a new boyfriend - one with deep musical connections. She regains lost ground, as her former champ “Wrecking Ball” rebounds a slot to number two. Following her breakup with actor Liam Hemsworth, Miley has reportedly been dating Theo Wenner - son of Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner.

Still ruling the list is Lorde, preparing the next step in her whirlwind global conquest. Lorde spends a third week atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart with “Royals.” Her debut album Pure Heroine hits the United Kingdom market on October 28 - and “Royals” zoomed to number one on the U.K. iTunes chart within hours of its release.

Can Lorde make it an even month at the top? We’ll find out next week.