| 100% | ASAD | 4 | "Take ___ song and make it better" ("Hey Jude" lyric): 2 wds. |
| 96% | ASAD | 4 | "Take ___ song and make it better" ("Hey Jude" lyric) (2 wds.) |
| 80% | ASAD | 4 | "Take ___ song and make it better" ("Hey Jude" lyric) |
| 57% | ASAD | 4 | “Take ___ song and make it better ... ” |
| 49% | SADSONG | 7 | Something to take and "make it better," in the Beatles' "Hey Jude" |
| 48% | JUDE | 4 | He was told to "take a sad song and make it better" |
| 48% | MANINTHEMIRROR | 14 | 1988 hit song by 45-Across with the lyrics "If you want to make the world a better place / Take a look at yourself, and then make a change" (4 wds.) |
| 43% | ALIST | 5 | "He's making ___ and checking it twice" (Christmas song line): 2 wds. |
| 36% | ALIST | 5 | "He's making ___ and checking it twice ...": 2 wds. |
| 36% | ICHIROSUZUKI | 12 | He never made it to the World Series despite playing in 2,653 regular-season games with the Mariners, Yankees, and Marlins: 2 wds. |
| 36% | RAFAELPALMEIRO | 14 | He never made it to the World Series despite playing in 2,831 regular-season games with the Cubs, Rangers, and Orioles: 2 wds. |
| 35% | MOVIEMUSICAL | 12 | Film with songs and dancing: 2 wds. |
| 35% | IQUIT | 5 | "You can take this job and shove it!": 2 wds. |
| 35% | KENGRIFFEYJR | 12 | He never made it to the World Series despite playing in 2,671 regular-season games with the Mariners, Reds, and White Sox: 3 wds., abbr. |
| 35% | BADMOONRISING | 13 | Creedence Clearwater Revival hit song with the lyrics "Don't go 'round tonight / It's bound to take your life" (3 wds.) |
| 35% | OUTINTHESTREET | 14 | Bruce Springsteen song with the lyrics "I take my hard earned money / And meet my girl down on the block" (4 wds.) |
| 34% | YOUBABY | 7 | 1966 song and album by 15-Across: 2 wds. |
| 34% | FEDUP | 5 | Disgusted and not taking it anymore (2 wds.) |
| 34% | THATWASNTME | 11 | Song by 32-Across with the lyrics "I'm not asking you to move on or forget it / But these are better days" (3 wds.) |
| 34% | TENDSBAR | 8 | Takes orders and pours cocktails: 2 wds. |
| 34% | SAYSO | 5 | "If you ___": 2 wds. ("ill take your word for it") |
| 34% | IDO | 3 | "What can ___ to make it up to you?": 2 wds. |
| 34% | ICANT | 5 | "___ take it any more" ("Please make it stop"): 2 wds. |
| 33% | SOCLOSE | 7 | "Rats! And I almost made it!" (2 wds.) |
| 33% | ICANT | 5 | "I'll let you know if ___ make it on time.": 2 wds. |
| 33% | WASI | 4 | "___ too hard on you?" ("Did I make it challenging for you?"): 2 wds. |
| 33% | SAYSO | 5 | "I did it well, even if I may ___ myself" (praise oneself): 2 wds. |
| 32% | UPON | 4 | Wind ___ the cutting room floor (don't make it into a movie): 2 wds. |
| 32% | HELPS | 5 | Makes it better |
| 32% | CATCHA | 6 | "___ falling star and put it in your pocket..." (Perry Como lyrics): 2 wds. |