The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown: Song 12 - John Paul from Toronto

Intro

What happens when you bond so hard with The Hip that they feel like your chosen family? This week, I’m joined by John Paul from Toronto—a lifelong fan who’s seen it all, from camping trips at Guelph Lake to getting kicked out of the Phoenix. We dig deep into Song 12 on the countdown and talk about the powerful, personal connections that make this band more than just music.

Episode Summary

We cover the full arc of John Paul’s fandom—from hearing those first singles on Toronto radio to buying Day for Nighton CD, obsessing over Phantom Power, and falling in love with the band’s live energy. We also swap stories about unforgettable Hip shows, camping mischief, and the heartbreak of being booted out before the third song.

About the Guest

John Paul is the quintessential Toronto Hip fan: thoughtful, passionate, and a little self-deprecating. He first fell for the band thanks to classic singles and videos on MuchMusic (shout out to Gord in the Bruins sweater), and over time found himself pulled in deeper with every album.

He’s been to half a dozen Hip gigs (plus a solo Gord show), but his fandom is built just as much on introspection—how the band offered him a sense of family, safety, and permission to see the world through Gord’s strange and beautiful eyes.

Why It Matters

This episode isn’t just about Song 12. It’s about how The Tragically Hip can be an anchor in your life. How they can make you feel at home, even when you’re homesick in Korea. How they become a mirror for your values, your memories, and your sense of who you want to be in the world.

It’s also about the messy side of fandom: the near-religious devotion, the gigs that changed you, the ones you missed, the ones you got kicked out of while pleading your case like a lawyer on fire.

If you’ve ever felt like The Hip knew you before you even knew yourself, this one’s going to hit close to home.

Closing

Huge thanks to John Paul from Toronto for bringing so much honesty, humour, and raw fandom to this week’s episode.

If this week’s track sparks a memory for you, share it with us! Drop a voice memo, send an email, or jump into the Facebook group and start a debate about your Top 10.

We’ll be back next Monday with Song 11 on the countdown. Don’t miss it.

So there’s that.

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John Paul from Toronto joins jD to talk Song 12 on The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown—stories of fandom, family, and finding yourself in the music.

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