| 100% | HOYTAXTON | 9 | Folk singer/songwriter/guitarist who wrote 41-Across (2 wds.) |
| 54% | ROBERTJOHNSON | 13 | Blues guitarist who wrote such classics as "Cross Road Blues": 2 wds. |
| 53% | LEONARDCOHEN | 12 | Canadian singer/songwriter who wrote and recorded 34-Across in 1984 (2 wds.) |
| 53% | AMYSCHUMER | 10 | Sketch comedy performer who wrote and stars in 41-Across: 2 wds. |
| 53% | JONIMITCHELL | 12 | Folk singer who sang the 1974 hit "Big Yellow Taxi": 2 wds. |
| 52% | JUDYCOLLINS | 11 | Folk singer who sang the 1975 hit "Send in the Clowns": 2 wds. |
| 52% | ARLO | 4 | Folk singer/songwriter Guthrie who wrote "Alice's Restaurant Massacree" |
| 50% | EDSHEERAN | 9 | "Perfect" singer who plays himself in 41-Across (2 wds.) |
| 50% | RUDYARDKIPLING | 14 | English author who wrote the children's literature at 18- and 41-Across: 2 wds. |
| 49% | SARABAREILLES | 13 | Singer/songwriter who wrote music and lyrics for the stage adaptation of "Waitress" (2 wds.) |
| 48% | PETESEEGER | 10 | "If I Had a Hammer" folk singer who received the Woody Guthrie Prize in 2014: 2 wds. |
| 48% | HILLARYCLINTON | 14 | Politician who wrote "What Happened," 19-Across, and 41-Across (2 wds.) |
| 48% | MARYTRAVERS | 11 | Folk singer who, in a trio with Peter and Paul, sang the 1963 hit "Puff, the Magic Dragon": 2 wds. |
| 47% | TAYLORSWIFT | 11 | "Anti-Hero" singer who performs "The Alcott" with 41-Across (2 wds.) |
| 46% | SARABAREILLES | 13 | Singer-songwriter who wrote music and lyrics for the stage adaptation of the film "Waitress" (2 wds.) |
| 46% | JASONBATEMAN | 12 | "Ozark" actor who cohosts 41-Across: 2 wds. |
| 46% | MARIOPUZO | 9 | Author who wrote the novel 15-Across was based on: 2 wds. |
| 45% | CURTISMAYFIELD | 14 | Group member who wrote and sang 48-Across: 2 wds. |
| 44% | LEONARDCOHEN | 12 | "Hallelujah" singer-songwriter who wrote "Book of Longing," a book of poetry and drawings (2 wds.) |
| 44% | PATTILABELLE | 12 | "New Attitude" singer who wrote the cookbook "Recipes for the Good Life": 2 wds. |
| 44% | SEANHAYES | 9 | "Will & Grace" actor who cohosts 41-Across: 2 wds. |
| 44% | COHEN | 5 | Canadian folk singer Leonard who wrote Hallelujah |
| 44% | DOLLYPARTON | 11 | "Jolene" singer who wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway musical "9 to 5": 2 wds. |
| 44% | JAMESJOYCE | 10 | Irish author who wrote "Ulysses": 2 wds. |
| 44% | BRAMSTOKER | 10 | Irish author who wrote "Dracula": 2 wds. |
| 44% | IRVINEWELSH | 11 | Scottish author who wrote "Trainspotting": 2 wds. |
| 44% | PRMAN | 5 | Guy who writes press releases: 2 wds. |
| 43% | ERICIDLE | 8 | Monty Python troupe member who wrote 51-Across (2 wds.) |
| 43% | ANNERICE | 8 | "Tasty" novelist who wrote the "Vampire Chronicles" series: 2 wds. |
| 43% | TINAFEY | 7 | "30 Rock" actress who wrote the memoir "Bossypants": 2 wds. |