VOA常速英语:Top 5 Countdown for Week Ending April 26

We’re counting down the five most popular songs in the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart, for the week ending April 26, 2014.
The top five remains the same as last week - in fact, the top seven songs haven’t moved for the past three weeks. That’s a first in the 55-year history of the Hot 100 chart. C’mon, people, let’s start buying different songs!

Idina Menzel holds in fifth place with “Let It Go,” from the Frozen soundtrack. That album has entered the record books - Frozen rules the Billboard Pop Album Chart for a 10th week…tying The Lion King for the longest championship run by an animated movie soundtrack album.

Another week, another fourth-place showing for Jason Derulo with “Talk Dirty,” featuring 2 Chainz. A lot is riding on this song and its accompanying album - his label, Warner Brothers, wants it to be a hit. Warner lost many of its urban stars in 2012, when Rick Ross and his Maybach Music label defected to Atlantic Records. Jason’s also counting on this album to establish an image to accompany his hit singles.

Holding at number three are Katy Perry and Juicy J, with “Dark Horse.” Katy was bested by a fan on national TV. On April 21, she appeared on Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night TV talk show, where she squared off against a fan named Emily. Both answered questions about Katy’s personal life…and Emily won! She received an autographed pillow from Perry.

Pharrell Williams performs at the 2014 Coachella Music and Arts Festival on Saturday, April 12, 2014, in Indio, Calif.
Pharrell Williams rules the Hot 100 for an eighth week with “Happy.” Pharrell recently sold his famous Grammy hat. Back in January, Pharrell wore an outsized hat on the Grammy telecast. As a result, the Vivienne Westwood hat became a bit of a celebrity in its own right. Last month, restaurant chain Arby’s bought the hat for $44,000 in an online auction. The money went to Pharrell’s charity From One Hand To Another, which helps children learn through technology and the arts.

That’s it for now, but please join us next week for a new hit list…possibly featuring new songs!