VOA常速英语:Top 5 Songs for Week Ending July 1

We're lighting up the five most popular songs in the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles chart, for the week ending July 1, 2017.

To paraphrase a famous lyric from The Who: “meet the new chart, same as the old chart.” Well, with one small exception.

Number 5: Kendrick Lamar "Humble"

Kendrick Lamar spends another week in fifth place with his former title-holder “Humble.”

On June 25, Kendrick took home the Best Male Hip-Hop Artist prize at the BET Awards in Los Angeles. He prevailed over Big Sean, Chance The Rapper, Drake, Future, and J Cole. Kendrick also joined Future onstage to perform the remix of “Mask Off.”

Number 4: Ed Sheeran "Shape of You"

Another week, another fourth-place showing for Ed Sheeran with “Shape Of You.”

Ed headlined England's Glastonbury Festival on its iconic Pyramid Stage on June 25. Some fans threw shade at Ed for not performing live, but the explanation was simple: from the beginning of his career, Ed has used tape loops, building instrumentation to accompany himself. The practice dates from his days busking on street corners.

Number 3: Bruno Mars "That's What I Like"

Way back when, you could find Bruno Mars performing at resorts in Hawaii.

One of six children, Bruno was born into a musical family. From the age of three, he performed in his family's band, The Love Notes, entertaining tourists in his native Hawaii. Bruno specialized in impersonating Elvis Presley, and even has a cameo appearance in the 1992 Nick Cage comedy “Honeymoon In Vegas.” He also sang at the 1990 Aloha Bowl football game.

Number 2: DJ Khaled Featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper and Lil Wayne "I'm The One"

DJ Khaled climbs a slot to second place with “I'm The One” featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper, and Lil Wayne. All but Justin took the stage with Khaled on June 25 at the BET Awards. On June 23, Khaled dropped his 10th studio album Grateful. If it tops the chart it would be his second album champ, following last year's Major Key.

Number 1: Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber "Despacito"

Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber hold the Hot 100 title for a sixth week with “Despacito.” It's now been 12 weeks since a female artist occupied the Top Five: Taylor Swift and Zayn left the list in mid-April. That's the longest female Countdown drought since 1972, when women were absent from the Top Five for 13 weeks.

Will the streak end next week? Join us in seven days and we'll find out!