Similar to the Billboard charts, the Hit Parade is also a list of songs that are categorized by popularity during a certain time period.  The term ‘hit parade’ was first introduced in the 1930s when broadcast stations played the popular program called ‘Your Hit Parade’.  The program was on the radio and television for many years.  Songs were originally submitted to the public in a sheet music form.  Artists were encouraged to get the word out about their song by using different formats such as chart music lists.

The music chart list was an organized list of a single, released by an artist, not an actual album.  In the early years, songs were reproduced by multiple artists.  Popular radio stations were required to release the work from local talent artists and, because the time space was limited, the music charts became useful.  Songs that were produced by multiple artists were not well liked by fans.  An artist covering a song was considered to be another way for them to compete for placement on the charts or to compete for airplay.

Apparently, ‘Your Hit Parade’ was almost canceled when singer Snooky Lanson tried to reproduce “Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley.  The program was taken off the air in 1959 but the term Hit Parade is still used.  The Hit Parade lists all of the songs that are most popular during the recent production.  The term Hit Parade was introduced to the public again during the early 1970s with the production of an automatic music format by the Drake Chenault Company.  The program was presented on many radio stations.

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