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| Music in the News
Thursday 25 April 2002
Vocabulary from the world of music. Listen to and read the story then find explanations of difficult words below.
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UK acts drop out of American charts
Summary: For the first time in nearly 40 years, there are no UK acts in the top 100 singles chart in the US this week. American stars, like Britney, Linkin' Park and Destiny's Child, are dominating the charts instead.
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| | The News 
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| | | The first UK act to enter the charts in the US was the Caravelles single "You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry" which entered the charts at number 84 in October 1963. Since then, British musicians have maintained at least some presence on the countdown - until now.
Coldplay, Gorillaz, Radiohead and Dido have all made successful breakthroughs into one of the world's toughest markets. However, the difficulty in making an impact can be highlighted by Robbie Williams. The singer is arguably the biggest star in the UK, and he has had success in Europe and Australia. But he has struggled to make a major impact in the US.
In previous years, British groups have been massive in the US. In April 1964, The Beatles had all of the top five best-selling singles in America and exactly 20 years later there were 40 UK singles in the top 100.
The last Brit to be in the US charts was Craig David with "Seven Days", but this tune dropped off last week.
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| | The Words | |
| | | maintained at least some presence on the countdown
here - had one or more singles in American charts every week
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| | | breakthroughs
a breakthrough is an important development or achievement
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| | | one of the toughest markets
a market where it is difficult to achieve success because of too much competition
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| | | making an impact
here - achieve popularity and success
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| | | highlighted
here - illustrated
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| | | arguably
you can use the word 'arguably' to give more authority to your opinion or belief
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| | | he has struggled
it has been very difficult for him
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| | | massive
very popular and successful
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| | | dropped off
here - disappeared from the charts
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