VOA常速英语:Top 5 Songs for Week Ending Jan. 24

We’re celebrating the five most popular songs in the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart, for the week ending January 24, 2015.

Some weeks bring chart lineups that make you shake your head with amazement…and then there’s this week. Very little changes, except in fifth place where Sam Smith makes a return trip.

Sam Smith rebounds three slots to number five with “I’m Not The Only One.” Sam had better make room in his trophy case. Not only is he up for six Grammy Awards, he’s also just been nominated for five BRIT Awards. The Grammys happen on February 8, with the BRITS following on the 25th.

Sam’s fellow U.K. artist Ed Sheeran earned a few BRIT nominations of his own.

Ed holds in fourth place with “Thinking Out Loud.” That’s the highest he’s ever gone on the Hot 100. He just collected four BRIT Award nominations: British Male Solo Artist; British Single (for “Thinking Out Loud”); Mastercard British Album Of The Year; and British Artist Video Of The Year.

One more BRIT item and then we’ll move on, we promise you: Hozier just earned a nomination…

Hozier spends yet another week in third place with “Take Me To Church.” The Irish singer-songwriter just earned a BRIT Award nomination for Best International Male Solo Artist. He faces off against Beck, Jack White, John Legend, and Pharrell Williams.

Oh look at that - Taylor Swift just earned a BRIT nomination too!

Taylor remains your runner-up with “Blank Space.” If you haven’t guessed it yet, Taylor’s BRIT nomination is in the Best International Female Solo Artist category. She’s up against Beyonce, Lana Del Rey, Sia, and St. Vincent. Taylor previously received two BRIT nominations, but has never won.

And, our top singles act is also in the running for some BRIT Awards.

Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars hold the Hot 100 title for a second week with “Uptown Funk.” It just earned two BRIT Award nominations for British Single and British Artist Video Of The Year. Once again, the BRIT Awards get handed out on February 25.

So there you are…a very BRIT-filled Countdown has come to an end. I guess it was a special lineup after all.

Join us for more action next week.