VOA标准英语2013--Top 5 Countdown for Week Ending July 20

 

Top 5 Countdown for Week Ending July 20

These are known as the "dog days" of summer in the United States, when temperatures soar and nobody wants to move quickly. The hit list follows suit, as four of our top five tracks simply stay put. The exception comes in fifth place, where Florida Georgia Line and Nelly decide to re-appear - jumping a slot, with "Cruise" featuring Nelly. This song has never gone above fourth place on the Hot 100 chart - however, it did top the Billboard¹ Country Singles chart while selling nearly five million downloads.

Holding in fourth place is Imagine Dragons with its four million-seller "Radioactive". Lead singer Dan Reynolds recently suffered an on-stage accident. He broke two bones in his right hand two months ago after punching a drum onstage. Dave just got the cast off before the band performed last weekend at Britain’s T In The Park Festival.

Another week, another third-place showing for Miley Cyrus' "We Can’t Stop". Frustrating² no doubt, since her Hot 100 high-water mark came in 2009, when "Party In The U.S.A." peaked at number two. Speaking of that song: more than 700 fans this month petitioned the White House to adopt it as the new United States national anthem³, replacing "The Star-Spangled Banner." That number must grow to 100,000 petitioners⁴ before August 1 - or it won’t be considered.

Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams remain within sight of the prize this week, but it’s still a no-go: "Get Lucky" stays in second place. Nile Rodgers, who plays guitar on that track, says the French duo will help him complete some unfinished songs from his old group, Chic⁵. Nile will perform an August 19 charity concert in New York - but says Daft Punk will definitely not join him.

Once again, Pharrell Williams occupies the top two slots on the Hot 100 - he spends a fifth week at number one as a special guest on Robin⁶ Thicke’s "Blurred⁷ Lines." Robin is married to his teenage sweetheart, actress Paula Patton - and says she approved the risqué video for "Blurred Lines", which features semi-nude women.

We'll return in one week with another winning lineup.  

1 billboard   

n.布告板，揭示栏，广告牌

参考例句：

• He ploughed his energies into his father's billboard business.他把精力投入到父亲的广告牌业务中。
• Billboard spreads will be simpler and more eye-catching.广告牌广告会比较简单且更引人注目。

2 frustrating   

adj.产生挫折的，使人沮丧的，令人泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的现在分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧

参考例句：

• It's frustrating to have to wait so long. 要等这么长时间，真令人懊恼。
• It was a demeaning and ultimately frustrating experience. 那是一次有失颜面并且令人沮丧至极的经历。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。

4 petitioners   

n.请求人，请愿人( petitioner的名词复数 )；离婚案原告

参考例句：

• Petitioners suggest that anything less than certainty, that any speculation, is irresponsible. 申诉者认为不准确的事或推断都是不负责任的。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法
• The judge awarded the costs of the case to the petitioners. 法官判定由这起案件的上诉人支付诉讼费用。 来自辞典例句

5 chic   

n./adj.别致(的)，时髦(的)，讲究的

参考例句：

• She bought a chic little hat.她买了一顶别致的小帽子。
• The chic restaurant is patronized by many celebrities.这家时髦的饭店常有名人光顾。

6 robin   

n.知更鸟，红襟鸟

参考例句：

• The robin is the messenger of spring.知更鸟是报春的使者。
• We knew spring was coming as we had seen a robin.我们看见了一只知更鸟，知道春天要到了。

7 blurred   

v.（使）变模糊( blur的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）难以区分；模模糊糊；迷离

参考例句：

• She suffered from dizziness and blurred vision. 她饱受头晕目眩之苦。
• Their lazy, blurred voices fell pleasantly on his ears. 他们那种慢吞吞、含糊不清的声音在他听起来却很悦耳。 来自《简明英汉词典》