VOA常速英语:Top 5 Countdown for Week Ending Nov. 1

We’re breaking out the five most popular songs in the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart, for the week ending November 1, 2014.

Once upon a time, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, male voices were heard in the Top 5.

Alright, it was only two months ago, but still - it’s been a long time.

Every one of this week’s Top 5 songs has gone platinum or multi-platinum here in the United States.

Tove Lo dips a slot to fifth place with her million-selling single “Habits (Stay High).” Tove says she challenges herself to sing things she probably wouldn’t say, and that she has a need to “put it all out there for people.”

Iggy Azalea put it all out there during her recent online feud with Snoop Dogg. Iggy and Rita Ora retreat a slot to fourth place with “Black Widow.” Earlier this month, Snoop Dogg touched off a vicious online fight with Iggy, halted only when her manager T.I. stepped in and phoned Snoop. Details about the conversation are scarce, but no money reportedly changed hands.

It’s an “up” week for Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj, as “Bang Bang” bounces from fifth to third place. Jessie’s third album Sweet Talker enters in 10th place in the current Billboard 200 Pop Album chart. This is actually Jessie’s second Stateside release, as her 2013 set Alive never saw the light of day here in the U.S.

Taylor Swift spends yet another week in the runner-up slot with “Shake It Off.” Her 1989 album hits the market this week, and record industry bigwigs are hoping that it does well. To date, album sales are down 14 percent from last year, while singles sales have plunged 13 percent…this according to Nielsen SoundScan. Not to worry: Billboard quotes industry sources as saying 1989 could move between 800,000 and 900,000 first-week copies. That’s a lot.

Up at number one, give Meghan Trainor a lucky seventh week with “All About That Bass.” Meghan says she originally aspired to be a songwriter, not a singer - and never intended to perform this song. She recorded a demo version… and when record executive L.A. Reid loved her voice, Meghan became the star she is today.

That’s it for now, but come back next week for more chart action.