VOA常速英语:Top 5 Songs for Week Ending Feb. 21

This is the Top Five Countdown! We’re crowning the five most popular songs in the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart for the week ending February 21, 2015.

The drill for this week’s lineup: there’s nothing truly new.

Let’s start in fifth place, where Taylor Swift steps back a slot with “Blank Space.” What did you do last weekend? Taylor performed with a rock legend. The U.S. TV show Saturday Night Live celebrated its 40th anniversary on February 14 with a star-packed show. Among the highlights were Taylor performing “Shake It Off,” backed by Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon…and a fellow named Paul McCartney.

Taking over fourth place is a band who are getting ready to tour the world. Maroon 5 kicks it up a slot with “Sugar.” Adam Levine and company are touring North America with opening act MAGIC through early April. May finds them in Europe and the UK. Come September 17, they’ll hit the Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines.

Hozier’s hit hasn’t only put him on the charts, it’s catapulted other acts into the limelight, as well. He treads water in third place with “Take Me To Church.” It’s gone two times platinum in the States, meaning it’s sold two million copies. An a capella group from Tennessee’s Vanderbilt University, Melodores, sang it to win the prize on a U.S. TV talent show called The Sing-Off.

Up at number two we have Ed Sheeran, who celebrated his 24th birthday on February 17 with "Thinking Out Loud". He released his first independent EP at age 14, and two years later moved to London. In 2010, actor Jamie Foxx spotted Ed at a talent night in Los Angeles, and was impressed enough to offer him the use of his recording studio and a place to stay. Ed’s very good at making friends!

Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars sure made friends with the top slot - they’re number one for a sixth week with “Uptown Funk.” This song’s been very good to Mark’s bank account… The song has now hit the one million-seller mark in Mark’s UK homeland…while reportedly earning $100,000 per week from streams alone. Mark has to split it with his record label, the songwriters, and co-producers, but still…it’s a pretty nice payday for all concerned.

That’s it for now, but the charts never sleep! Join us next week for an all-new lineup.