This song will make you want to call your mom
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “This song will make you want to call your mom” inside PodZeus.
In this heartfelt episode of Q with Tom Power, Canadian singer-songwriter Jen Grant shares the deeply personal story behind her song 'Jim Cuddy Dress' from her album 'Queen of the Straight.' The track is a tribute to her mother, Heather Grant, who battled cancer three times and found joy and connection through music, particularly Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy. The song recounts a poignant moment when Jen took her mother to the Juno Awards in 2012, where she met Jim Cuddy in person—her mother’s longtime idol. After her mother’s passing, Jen honored her wish to be buried in the mauve dress she wore during that meeting, creating a surreal and beautiful 'Make Believe Funeral' that blended grief, love, and whimsy. The episode explores themes of healing, legacy, and the transformative power of music in times of loss. Jen reflects on how motherhood and midlife have shifted her songwriting from metaphorical abstraction to raw, literal storytelling meant to serve and comfort others.
Music can be a powerful conduit for healing and honoring loved ones, even in the face of loss.
Sharing deeply personal stories through art can turn private grief into public resonance and connection.
Moments of joy and magic can be intentionally crafted from heartbreak, as Jen’s mother did when relocating her family after a divorce.
Artistic evolution often comes with life experience—Jen’s shift from metaphorical to literal lyrics reflects her growth as a mother and artist.
Small, sacred moments—like meeting a hero in a beloved dress—can become lifelong legacies.
Introducing Jen Grant and Her New Album
Tom Power introduces Jen Grant, a Canadian singer-songwriter from Prince Edward Island, and her new album 'Queen of the Straight,' setting the stage for a deeply personal conversation about family, loss, and music.
The Story Behind 'Jim Cuddy Dress'
“When I die, I think I've decided I'd like to be laid to rest in my Jim Cuddy dress.”
Healing Through Memory and Place
Jen reflects on how revisiting Prince Edward Island with her family helped her process childhood trauma and reconnect with her mother’s legacy, leading to a wave of creative inspiration.
The Make Believe Funeral and the Power of Ritual
“It was like this really surreal moment and kind of like a movie and like this mix of like the saddest thing you could imagine, but so beautiful.”
Sharing the Story with Jim Cuddy and the Legacy of Music
“I think I can say whatever I want actually.”
“When I die, I think I've decided I'd like to be laid to rest in my Jim Cuddy dress.”
“I think I've decided I'd like to be laid to rest in my Jim Cuddy dress.”
“It was like this really surreal moment and kind of like a movie and like this mix of like the saddest thing you could imagine, but so beautiful.”
Host
Guest
Jen Grant
person
Jim Cuddy
person
Heather Elizabeth McDonald Grant
person
Tom Power
person
Blue Rodeo
other
Prince Edward Island
place
Nova Scotia
place
Queen of the Straight
media
Juno Awards
other
Danny
person
Charlotte Cornfield cried when she heard Feist's vocals on her song
Q with Tom Power • 24m • 4/1/2026
Shamier Anderson says he was born to play Ben Johnson
Q with Tom Power • 24m • 4/1/2026
How Adam Sturgeon went from being a pro hockey player to a rock musician
Q with Tom Power • 23m • 4/2/2026
Amanda Peet asks the hard questions about facelifts, validation and death
Q with Tom Power • 24m • 4/2/2026
Chantal Kreviazuk is reclaiming her most famous hits for other artists
Q with Tom Power • 40m • 4/3/2026
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “This song will make you want to call your mom” inside PodZeus.
Start discovering podcast insights today
Start with a 7-day trial and explore a growing catalog of popular podcasts. No credit card required.
No credit card required • 7-day trial • Cancel anytime