hit parade

Related to hit parade: billboard

hit parade

Any listing or inventory of the best or most popular persons or things in a given category. Anthony's bookshelves are a veritable hit parade of classic literature.
See also: hit, parade
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

hit parade

A listing of the most popular or best items or individuals of some kind, as in The library has a veritable hit parade of videos. This expression dates from the 1930s, when it was the name of a weekly radio show featuring the most popular songs as indicated by record sales.
See also: hit, parade
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

hit parade

A listing of the most popular individuals or items of some kind, in order of rank. The term dates from the 1930s when it was the name of a weekly radio show playing the most popular songs as indicated by record sales. It was later extended to other circumstances, as in “That math professor is number one on the students’ hit parade.” A more recent locution is the Top 40, similarly rating songs on the basis of their sales.
See also: hit, parade
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • take inventory
  • list off
  • not to mention
  • not to mention something
  • not to speak of
  • juice and cookies
  • in all but name
  • between hay and grass
  • person of size
  • FIFO
References in periodicals archive
In 1942 Billboard began to publish African American hits as the "Harlem Hit Parade." Country music was added in 1944, initially called Folk, then replaced for a period by the term Hillbilly Music.
Music of the Postwar Era
Len Lungo rode Pipe's first ever winner - Hit Parade at Taunton on May 9, 1975 - and fittingly saddled Monolith to victory in the 34 Festival Winners Commercial First Hurdle.
Horse Racing: McCoy calls tune
On "Your Hit Parade," in what was a forerunner of today's videos, the singers performed the top songs of the day in story form.
Music show kicked off weekly slumber parties
Members said the Hit Parade helped make up for the loss of the vendors.
LIGHTING ON EXECUTIVE ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR GROWTH AT CONVENTION
Fortunately, a wide variety of genuinely uplifting, edifying music is still available, from the timeless works of the classical masters to the refined rhythms of the Big Band era, the soulful romance of Hit Parade favorites, and many other wholesome genres.
Is it "Only Rock 'n' Roll"? (Letters to the Editor)
Most importantly, they were masters of keeping the hit parade coming and the fans begging for more.
Keeping the hit parade coming. (Editorial)
Hit Parade obituary: No more monthly Argentina numbers, reports Media Metrix, although quarterly reports will continue.
The Hit Parade
But unless you're old enough to remember Perry Como's television show and Your Hit Parade, you probably don't know about Peter Gennaro, who died late last year at the age of 80.
Peter Gennaro, Big Talent on a Small Screen
For fans of bluegrass music and electoral hanky-panky, the Coen brothers' new movie, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, offers a hit parade for the ages.
Down in the Flood
5 Documenta X (Kassel, 1997) Over the course of the postwar period, Documenta was always conventionally conceived of as a hit parade of the newest trends.
Boris Groys
She had not had a hit record in nearly forty years, but her absence from the hit parade had done little or nothing to diminish her stature as one of the true giants of rhythm and blues music.
Blue Rhythms: Six Lives in Rhythm and Blues
Zaret, the lyricist, won many awards for songs that promoted brotherhood and public service; in addition to writing many hit songs, he wrote the theme song for the Hit Parade ("So Long for A While"), the official marching song for the U.S.
It Could Be a Wonderful World
The Resurgent Liberal (and other unfashionable prophecies) Reich's hit parade of our economic follies are all on view in this lively collection of Reagan-era essays.
The Resurgent Liberal (and Other Unfashionable Prophesies)