Episode Details

The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown: Song 18 — Claire from Ann Arbor

Hey, it’s jD. And welcome to the wide open middle of the countdown — that beautiful, feral terrain where deep cuts go to become legends and personal faves start to collide with consensus picks.

This week on The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown, I’m joined by one of our most thoughtful and eloquent membersHIPers: Claire from Ann Arbor. We talk about discovering The Hip as a millennial from the U.S., falling hard thanks to Hockey Night in Canada, and how a steady diet of CBC and her dad’s hockey tapes led her straight to 50 Mission Cap. (That’s right — before she even knew the song, she knew the legend of Bill Barilko. That’s parenting done right.)

But what really makes this one hit different? Claire’s lived experience as a disabled fan navigating concerts, fandom, and feeling safe in the crowd. Her reflections on inclusivity, identity, and finding community through The Hip are honest, funny, moving, and — in true TTHTop40 fashion — a little nerdy in the best possible way.

We’re not just counting down songs here. We’re collecting stories. Claire’s is one you’ll be glad you heard.

🧠 This week’s guest brings:

• A first Hip show in Detroit (2007, World Container tour — “life-changing” in her words)
• A wheelchair user’s perspective on what makes Hip crowds feel safer than punk pits
• Some spicy (but respectful) Bob Rock-era takes
• Love for lyrics, cadence, and that one time Gord used “countervailing” in a fucking rock song
• A once-in-a-lifetime moment: sitting down with all four remaining band members after the Massey Hall event

💬 Episode Quote

“I felt like Hip shows were the first place where I found my people. I always felt safe, welcome — like I belonged. That changed everything.”

👋 About Our Guest

Claire from Ann Arbor is a librarian, lyric nerd, and longtime Hip fan who’s seen the band live nearly a dozen times across the Midwest and Ontario. She’s got great taste, a sharp eye for storytelling, and a high-level appreciation for both In View and It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken. We love her for all of that.

📬 Got a Story to Share?

Join the countdown. Leave a voice memo at castfeedback.com/tthtop40 or email us a tale at tthtop40@gmail.com. The best ones get airtime — and bonus points for emotional devastation, nerdy detail, or full-on Hip hijinks.

📡 Listen & Subscribe:

• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• YouTube: @dewvre1974
• Website: dewvre.com/tthtop40

📲 Follow Along:

• Instagram: @tthtop40
• Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/tthtop40

💥 Support the Show:

Join the membersHIP over at buymeacoffee.com/tthtop40. No perks, no pressure — just passion. Every dollar goes to keeping this passion project alive and raising funds for ALS Canada.

Transcript:

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, h