VOA常速英语:Top 5 Countdown for Week Ending May 24

We’re counting down the five most popular songs in the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart, for the week ending May 24, 2014.

This week’s lineup can’t match last week’s for sheer chart fireworks, but that’s okay: we're still savoring the new sounds from last time.

Let’s begin in fifth place, where Katy Perry remains with “Dark Horse" featuring Juicy J from Three 6 Mafia. Katy made out pretty well at this year’s Billboard Music Awards, on May 18 in Las Vegas. Katy went home with two: Top Female Artist, and Top Digital Songs Artist.

The bad news for Iggy Azalea fans: she falls in this week’s lineup. The good news: she simply replaces herself. Iggy and Ariana Grande dip a slot to fourth place with “Problem.” Ariana has a strong background in theater. The Florida native was only 15 when she appeared on Broadway in the musical production 13. She won a National Youth Theatre Association Award.

Both Ariana and Iggy performed at the Billboard Music Awards. Iggy did double duty, rapping on both “Problem” and her own headlining hit, “Fancy.”

Iggy Azalea slides into third place with “Fancy,” featuring Charli XCX. This is the second countdown hit Charli has enjoyed: she also wrote Icona Pop’s breakout smash “I Love It.” As for Iggy, she’s dating Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Nick Young.

Holding tight in the runner-up slot is Pharrell Williams with “Happy.” Pharrell just announced a series of U.K. and European arena shows, beginning September 9 in Manchester, England. He’ll then hit Western Europe for more shows before wrapping things up on October 9 in London.

Holding the Hot 100 title for a second week is John Legend with “All Of Me.” Later this year, John is off to the races in Singapore. John is performing all through this North American summer - then on September 21 hits Singapore for the Formula One Grand Prix. He’ll join fellow performers Ziggy Marley and the Pet Shop Boys.

That’s all for now, but who knows what may happen in the next seven days? Join us next week for a new hit list!