Episode Details

The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown: Song Thirty-Two — Hawksley from Huntsville

Hey, it’s jD, and this week, I’m joined by a national treasure. No, not the kind with a scroll in his sock and a clue tattooed under UV light — I mean an actual Canadian cultural force: Hawksley Workman from Huntsville.

Yep, that Hawksley. The one who’s built a wild, genre-hopping career that somehow manages to be both absurd and earnest — like a moose in a tuxedo who sings about heartbreak and moonlight. He’s here, in the countdown, and he’s bringing Phantom Power-era fire with him.

We go deep into Hawksley’s Hipstory — from learning to play Blow at High Dough in a high school cover band before ever hearing the original, to getting re-baptized by Phantom Power during his early days in Toronto. We talk about the Hip’s legacy, Gord’s democratic genius, and the molten centre of emotion that lies just beneath the surface of so many of their tracks.

Hawksley shares stories from backstage hangs to beer-branded Canada Day gigs, from dinner-table Gord Downie wisdom to the weirdness of watching media build you up just to tear you down. There’s laughter, reverence, and a few F-bombs — all in tribute to a band that gave Canadian poetry a place in our basements, stadiums, and snow-covered backyards.

And yeah — you better believe we talk about the song of the week. Just not by name. (Rules are rules.)

🎙️ Next week: We roll into L.A. with Tracey, who now listens to Wheat Kings on the 405. She’s got West Coast Hip energy and a knack for turning nostalgia into sharp insights. Don’t miss it.

💬 Pull Quote

“I didn’t hear the album version of Blow at High Dough until after I’d already played it live in a cover band. And when I finally heard it? It was perfect. Everything just made sense.”

👤 About Our Guest

Hawksley Workman is a JUNO-winning singer, songwriter, producer, and all-around creative tornado. Known for his theatrical live shows and fearless genre-bending, he’s released over 15 albums and toured internationally, all while flying the flag for Canadiana. He’s got a soft spot for Phantom Power, absurd lyrics, and a good glass of milk at the end of the day.

Find his music wherever good weirdness lives — and check out his single Save My Life, which dropped earlier this year and feels like a psychedelic hug from an electric moose.

📬 Get Involved

🎙️ Drop your hot take: castfeedback.com/tthtop40

📧 Send yer Hipstory: tthtop40@gmail.com

💸 Join the membersHIP & support the cause: buymeacoffee.com/tthtop40

📡 Follow + Stream

Spotify | Apple | YouTube | dewvre.com/tthtop40

Instagram: @tthtop40

Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/tthtop40

💸 Support ALS Canada

We’re raising $25,000 in honour of Matt Rona — a fan, a friend, and a force. Every donation supports the ALS Society of Canada and keeps the spirit of community alive. Chip in if you can: buymeacoffee.com/tthtop40

📜 Transcript Follows Below

The Tragically Hip Top 40 Countdown

2025-05-23, 6:05 PM

The Tragically Hip Top 40 Countdown

Join jD beginning Monday, January 6th, 2025 while he counts down the top 40 songs by The