Top 40 or Die Trying cover art

Top 40 or Die Trying

Top 40 or Die Trying

By: HeadStuff Podcasts
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About this listen

 Treading the thin line between maintaining a sense of pure artistic integrity and desperately wanting to be famous at any cost can be exhausting. “Top 40 or Die Trying” is the (mostly) true story of Shane Vincent McDermott’s attempt to have a hit single somewhere, anywhere in the world before turning 40 years of age. The journey takes us all around the world and introduces us to a host of wonderful, inspiring artists who teach us that the notion of success is something personal. That one shouldn’t tie their worth to adulation of others. That we are all on our own artistic journeys. Top 40 or Die Trying is part of HeadStuff Podcasts. Go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com to learn more and sign up for bonus content and ad-free listening!HeadStuff Podcasts Music
Episodes
  • Top 40 or Die Trying - Coming soon!

    Top 40 or Die Trying - Coming soon!
    Oct 7 2025
    Episode on of 'Top 40 or Die Trying is out on Wednesday the 15th of October. “Top 40 or Die Trying” is the (mostly) true story of Shane Vincent McDermott’s attempt to have a hit single somewhere, anywhere in the world before turning 40 years of age. The journey takes us all around the world and introduces us to a host of wonderful, inspiring artists who teach us that the notion of success is something personal. That one shouldn’t tie their worth to adulation of others. That we are all on our own artistic journeys. We also meet a few undesirables along the way who are subsequently dealt with. Part mockumentary, part surrealist comedy. 8 episodes that each culminate in the recording of a song that tries to emulate the success of Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and Puff Daddy amongst others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 mins
  • 1: Kanye on a Fiverr

    1: Kanye on a Fiverr
    Oct 15 2025
    In our opening episode, we are introduced to our protagonist Shane Vincent McDermott and learn of his dream to have a Top 40 hit single. We listen as he creates his first song: an attempt to cash in on the lucrative Chinese hip-hop market with a combination of rap, heavy metal and opera. The journey takes us around the world and Shane makes his first enemy when he gets embroiled in a beef over €10 with a fully grown man who still wears his baseball cap backwards. If you're enjoying the series and would like to unlock all 8 episodes of ‘Top 40 or Die Trying’, join HeadStuff+ for just €5 + VAT per month. You'll also unlock ad-free listening and exclusive behind the scenes bonus content. Top 40 or Die Trying is narrated by Shane Vincent McDermott and written and produced by Peter Halstead. The show is part of ⁠HeadStuff Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • 2: Tattoos are Better. Walkers are Too Moist.

    2: Tattoos are Better. Walkers are Too Moist.
    Oct 22 2025
    Disgusted by the success of Ed Sheeran’s song ‘Galway Girl’, Shane decides to create his own St Patrick’s Day song; a song for the Irish, by the Irish. Unfortunately, his plans are derailed slightly by the cost-of-living crisis and he is forced to outsource the making of his song to more affordable, foreign workers. He overcomes all hurdles to create a rap-folk song to grace beer-sodden dancefloors on March 17th every year. If you're enjoying the series and would like to unlock all 8 episodes of ‘Top 40 or Die Trying’, join ⁠HeadStuff+ ⁠for just €5 + VAT per month. You'll also unlock ad-free listening and exclusive weekly behind the scenes bonus content. Top 40 or Die Trying is narrated by Shane Vincent McDermott and written and produced by Peter Halstead. The show is part of ⁠⁠HeadStuff Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 mins
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