| 100% | STRANGEFRUIT | 12 | Poem of protest written by Abel Meeropol and sung by Billie in 1939 that later became an anthem of change: 2 wds. |
| 39% | WHATSGOINGON | 12 | 1971 song of protest by Marvin Gaye that later became an anthem of change: 3 wds. |
| 36% | WIND | 4 | "Blowin' in the ___," 1962 song by Bob Dylan which later became an anthem of change |
| 32% | MISSINGYOU | 10 | Tribute to Marvin Gaye written by Lionel Richie and sung by 50-Across that was a Top 10 hit in 1984 (2 wds.) |
| 30% | BIGYELLOWTAXI | 13 | 1970 song by Joni Mitchell that became an anthem of environmental conservation: 3 wds. |
| 28% | LOVELYRITA | 10 | A track from 15-Across, written and sung by Paul McCartney, that is about affection towards a female traffic warden: 2 wds. |
| 28% | THEFATHER | 9 | "___ Christmas Letters," a collection of letters written by J.R.R. Tolkien that document the adventures of Santa and his helpers: 2 wds. |
| 26% | BADGUY | 6 | 2019 song by Billie Eilish that won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 2020: 2 wds. |
| 26% | LIVINLAVIDALOCA | 15 | Ricky Martin hit sung by Puss in Boots and Donkey at the end of "Shrek 2" |
| 26% | MOSTWANTED | 10 | Tupac Shakur's "2 of Amerikaz ___" written along with Snoop Dogg and Daz Dillinger and later was included in his "Greatest Hits" album: 2 wds. |
| 25% | CENTURYCYCLE | 12 | Series of 10 plays by 14-Across, including "Fences" and "The Piano Lesson," that chronicle life in Black America over a 100-year span: 2 wds. |
| 25% | RENEEFLEMING | 12 | Opera singer who sang the national anthem at the Super Bowl in 2014 and received the National Medal of Arts in 2012: 2 wds. |
| 25% | BANGLADESH | 10 | 1971 charity single by George Harrison that was written to raise awareness for millions of refugees from the country in the title: 2 wds. |
| 25% | LOVE | 4 | "All You Need Is ___," song co-written and sung by Lennon which became an anthem for the Flower Power movement |
| 25% | STEVEMARTIN | 11 | American comedian and actor that reportedly has an IQ as high as 142, and known for his role in "Father of the Bride": 2 wds. |
| 25% | JORDANROMERO | 12 | Mountaineer who climbed Mount Everest at the age of 13 and later became the youngest climber in the world to complete the Seven Summits: 2 wds. |
| 25% | VANPELT | 7 | Last name of Linus and Lucy in 44-Across: 2 wds. |
| 24% | EARTHSEACYCLE | 13 | Series of high fantasy novels and stories by 44-Across set on an otherworldly archipelago in an uncharted ocean (2 wds.) |
| 24% | THEEMISSARY | 11 | Book that won the 2018 National Book Award for Translated Literature, written by Yoko Tawada and translated by Margaret Mitsutani: 2 wds. |
| 24% | FOODWEB | 7 | Dietary network of predators and prey in an ecosystem: 2 wds. |
| 24% | WHITECHRISTMAS | 14 | Irivng Berlin song sung by 53-Across in 16-Across that won an Oscar for Best Original Song (2 wds.) |
| 24% | FORGOOD | 7 | Duet sung by Elphaba and Glinda in the musical "Wicked": 2 wds. |
| 24% | COUNTINGCROWS | 13 | "Mr. Jones" and "Accidentally in Love" rock band that has an alliterative name: 2 wds. |
| 24% | CARYGRANT | 9 | "North by Northwest" actor who became an American citizen in 1942: 2 wds. |
| 24% | NOTPASS | 7 | "Do ___ Go. Do not collect $200," phrase used in "Monopoly" that has become a part of pop culture: 2 wds. |
| 24% | IWANTED | 7 | "Everything ___," song by Billie Eilish which won the Grammy for Record of the Year in 2021: 2 wds. |
| 24% | DONKEYKONG | 10 | Classic arcade game released by Nintendo in 1981 that features the adventures of a gorilla character: 2 wds. |
| 24% | OCTOBERSKY | 10 | 1999 movie that is an adaptation, and an anagram, of 20-Across: 2 wds. |
| 24% | LEWISHAMILTON | 13 | British racing driver who became an honorary citizen of Brazil in 2022: 2 wds. |
| 24% | NELSONMANDELA | 13 | South African president who became an honorary citizen of Canada in 2001: 2 wds. |