The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown: Song 23 — Janet from the Isle of Man
Hey, it’s jD — and if you’ve ever wondered just how far Hip fandom reaches, allow me to introduce you to Janet from the Isle of Man. That’s right — this week, we go international, with a guest who’s been flying the flag from across the Atlantic for almost 30 years.
Janet’s Hip origin story starts in 1995, with a vacation to North Bay and a friend who insisted she check out this “band I think you’ll love.” Three songs later — Blow at High Dough, Cordelia, and Locked in the Trunk of a Car — and the bricks were laid. By the time she flew home, she had every record the band had released to date in her bag. Customs probably should’ve stopped her to declare emotional contraband.
We talk about her journey from intrigued tourist to Hip evangelist, the tattoo she proudly sports on her shoulder (Gord, of course), and the way her Canadian music playlist ballooned to over a thousand songs — all sparked by that first hit. We get into concerts in London, pilgrimages to Kingston, unexpected Hip sightings abroad, and a “fan of the year” moment that might just bring a tear to your eye.
Janet doesn’t just like The Tragically Hip — she’s internalized them. The music, the mythos, the vibe. From Phantom Power to Something On, from Horseshoe Tavern visits to online Hip forums, she’s built a fandom life that’s fiercely loyal, globally rooted, and very, very real.
🎙️ Next week: We stay on this side of the Atlantic but head deep into cottage country with Sherry from Midland — a day-one Hip fan with stories from Wasaga Beach, a backstage yell from Gord, and a connection to the music that’ll leave you misty-eyed.
💬 Pull Quote
“The Hip were my gateway band. Once I heard them, it was over. Canadian music became my obsession — and it started with them.”
👤 About Our Guest
Janet from the Isle of Man is a longtime Hiphead, tattooed tribute artist (her right shoulder’s got the goods), and international superfan. She’s seen the band in London, walked the pilgrimage through Kingston, and been celebrated by the Hip Fan Forum as Overseas Fan of the Year.
Online, you might know her as HipFanJan — a fixture on Reddit and X, spreading the gospel of The Hip with a cheeky grin and zero chill.
🧾 Support the Show
Love what you’re hearing? Want to help keep it rolling while also supporting ALS Canada?
Drop a few bucks at buymeacoffee.com/tthtop40.
Every donation helps keep this lo-fi passion project alive — and keeps the countdown ticking. 🧡
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Transcript follows below.
TTHTop40 618
2025-05-24, 9:01 AM
TTHTop40 618
Transcript
[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, howev
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