Episode Details

The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown: Song 20 — Neil from Arroyo Grande

Hey, it’s jD, and this week I’m joined by a die-hard hockey fan and Hip convert who hails from California. Meet Neil from Arroyo Grande, the west coast wizard of late-night YouTube rabbit holes and deep-cut reverence.

Neil didn’t grow up with The Hip in his backyard. He had to find them — through hockey, through Trailer Park Boys, through a fascination with Canadian culture that led him down a road paved with Gretzky, Jericho, and yes… Gord.

We talk about getting into the band via Yer Favourites, chasing context across albums and eras, and how discovering The Hip opened the door to new perspectives on art, identity, and memory. He shares what it’s like being an American Hip fan (“Wait, they’re not on the radio here?”), and how Phantom Power, Man Machine Poem, and some Gordon Edgar Downie solo magic helped him through hard times — and made the music his own.

From WWE finishers to vapor trails to songs that hit like Shakespearean tragedy, this one’s for the late bloomers, the lyric heads, and anyone who ever found themselves singing along to a song they didn’t fully understand… until they really did.

🎙️ Next week: We’ll be joined by Jeff from Belleville — a 31-show veteran and one of our most compelling guests to date. From basement bars to backstage chats and a full-blown English Lit take on Hip lyrics, Jeff brings a hell of a lot to the table. You won’t wanna miss it.

💬 Pull Quote

“When I first heard Machine, I was walking to class, looking up at the stars — and I knew I’d never forget that moment. It was like the song was part of the sky.”

👤 About Our Guest

Neil from Arroyo Grande lives on California’s Central Coast, right near Pismo Beach — Bugs Bunny’s wrong turn and his own right one. A lifelong wrestling fan, hockey nerd, and Hip evangelist, Neil has gone deep into the catalogue (yes, all 13 studio albums and Gord’s solo work) and emerged as a true member of the flock.

He’s also a father, a husband, and a proud Hip missionary — spreading the good word through mixtapes, lectures, and unsolicited YouTube links. Bless him.

📬 Get Involved

• 🎙️ Record a hot take or story at castfeedback.com/tthtop40
• 📧 Email us your Hip origin story: tthtop40@gmail.com

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💸 Support the Show

We’re raising $25K for ALS Canada in memory of Matt Rona and for all the fans still fighting. Join the membersHIP at buymeacoffee.com/tthtop40. No perks, no fluff — just good vibes and real impact.

Transcript follows below:

Track 2:

[0:02] Hey, it's JD here, and you're probably tired of podcasts asking you for money. I get it, so I'm

not going to ask. I am, however, going to strongly suggest, with love, that you give me money. This

isn't about exclusive perks or gated content, though those exist. It's about supporting something

you believe in. If you've been enjoying the Tragically Hip Top 40 Countdown