Crossword Genius

Murdered soldier finally found beside tracks popular with public (3,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hit parade

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'murdered soldier finally found beside tracks' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't judge whether it can be defined by this definition.

'popular with public' is the wordplay.
'popular' becomes 'hit' (I've seen this in another clue).
'with public' becomes 'parade' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'hit'+'parade'='HIT PARADE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hit parade that I've seen before include "list of winners" , "Selling CDs" , "Those once charting" , "Top-selling numbers" , "Pop charts" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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