VOA常速英语:Top 5 Songs for Week Ending Dec. 28

We’re spotlighting the five most popular songs in the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart, for the week ending Dec. 28, 2013.Lorde, 17, dips a slot to fifth place with her 4-million-selling breakout hit Royals.The young New Zealander took to the Internet site Reddit last week to answer listeners’ questions.

She acknowledged looking like Gollum from the Lord of The Rings movies when she performs, but said she concentrates on feeling the music rather than posing.

Lorde hits the stage in New Zealand and Australia in January and February, then kicks off a North American headlining tour in March.

A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera rise four slots to fourth place with Say Something.

Back in September, Aguilera heard the original version featuring just this duo from New York City. She loved it and within a week they were in the studio cutting a new version together.

Christina hasn’t risen this high in the Hot 100 since 2011, when she and Maroon 5 hit number one with Moves Like Jagger.
Holding tight in third place is OneRepublic with Counting Stars. Lead singer Ryan Tedder worked on Beyonce’s latest album, producing the song XO. He says he didn’t know about its release until 90 minutes before it hit the market. That album currently rules the Billboard Pop Album chart.

Pitbull and Ke$ha stay within striking distance in second place with Timber. Last week, Ke$ha premiered two new songs on the season finale of her MTV reality show, My Crazy Beautiful Life. She spoke about her upcoming third album, calling it “honest” and “fearless.” No word on when we’ll get it, though.

Eminem and Rihanna are your Hot 100 singles champs for a second week with The Monster. Both Eminem and Kanye West passed on opportunites to perform special concerts during Super Bowl week, with Eminem reportedly asking for a $2 million fee to perform at the NFL owners’ party. That was too much so Janelle Monae is now the headliner.

Let’s pause to celebrate the holiday season - but remember the charts never sleep!