| 100% | GONG | 4 | Large instrument that's hit with a hammer |
| 91% | GONG | 4 | Large percussion instrument that's hit with a hammer |
| 83% | GONG | 4 | Large instrument that's hit with a mallet |
| 68% | GONG | 4 | Percussion instrument that's hit with a mallet |
| 61% | GONG | 4 | Instrument hit with a hammer |
| 59% | NAIL | 4 | Fastener that gets hit with a hammer |
| 56% | NAILSET | 7 | Tool that may be hit with a hammer |
| 53% | POUND | 5 | Hit with a hammer |
| 51% | CELLO | 5 | Musical instrument that's larger than a viola |
| 50% | GONG | 4 | It may be hit with a hammer |
| 50% | THUMB | 5 | Bad thing to hit with a hammer |
| 47% | GONG | 4 | Large instrument played with a mallet |
| 46% | GONG | 4 | Instrument struck with a hammer |
| 45% | FUJIS | 5 | Apples that share a name with Japan's largest mountain |
| 45% | SITAR | 5 | Instrument that may be played with a mizrab |
| 45% | NAIL | 4 | Item you can hit with a hammer and it either hurts or it doesn't |
| 45% | HARP | 4 | Large instrument that's tilted when played |
| 45% | MALLET | 6 | Hammer with a large handle |
| 44% | ENTERKEY | 8 | It's hit with a pinky |
| 44% | POLOBALL | 8 | It's hit with a mallet |
| 44% | BADANDBOUJEE | 12 | 2016 No. 1 hit with a refrain that begins "Rain drop, drop top" |
| 44% | MARIMBA | 7 | Instrument that shares its name with a figure from Zulu folklore |
| 44% | KAZOO | 5 | Instrument that might be made with a comb and wax paper |
| 43% | THROB | 5 | Ache, as a thumb hit with a hammer |
| 43% | RINGO | 5 | With 34-Across, onetime Beatle who had a 1973 hit that shared 18-Across's title |
| 43% | LITTLEEVA | 9 | Singer with a 1962 #1 hit that started a dance craze (and a hint to this puzzle's theme) |
| 43% | ELK | 3 | Large animal with antlers that resembles a moose |
| 43% | GONG | 4 | Instrument struck with a padded hammer |
| 43% | GONGS | 5 | Percussion instruments hit with padded hammers |
| 42% | GUITAR | 6 | Stringed instrument that you "strum," with a name originating from Greek |