| 100% | PIANO | 5 | With 15-Across, Billy Joel's signature song |
| 51% | PRESSURE | 8 | 1982 Billy Joel song with the theme of stress |
| 50% | MYLIFE | 6 | Billy Joel song with the line "I don't want you to tell me it's time to come home" (2 wds.) |
| 48% | WHATA | 5 | With 15 and 20 Across, a 1967 song sung by Louis Armstrong in "Good Morning, Vietnam" |
| 47% | EATEN | 5 | With 15 Across, depleted |
| 46% | MERRY | 5 | With 15 Across, holiday greeting |
| 46% | JACK | 4 | With 15 Across, big prize |
| 46% | WALKON | 6 | With 43-Across, Lou Reed's signature song: 2 wds. |
| 45% | ROAST | 5 | With 15 Across, slow-cooked supper |
| 44% | EXIT | 4 | With 15 Across, graduation requirement for some |
| 44% | GUILLERMO | 9 | With 15 Across, scandal-ridden president of Ecuador |
| 44% | APR | 3 | First full mo. with 15 Across |
| 43% | GEYSER | 6 | 15-Across song with the lyric "Feel it bubbling from below" |
| 43% | NEWYEARS | 8 | With 15-Across, 1983 U2 song with the repeated lyric "I will be with you again" |
| 43% | ALEXA | 5 | Billy Joel song, "The Downeaster —" |
| 43% | ANG | 3 | ''Life of Pi'' director, with 15 Across |
| 42% | THANKSFOR | 9 | With 40-Across, 8-Across's signature song |
| 42% | LUCK | 4 | With 15 Across, party you might bring a dish to |
| 42% | STEVE | 5 | With 15-Across, 1950's "Tonight Show" host |
| 42% | ALLENTOWN | 9 | 1982 Billy Joel song |
| 42% | REVENGEOF | 9 | With 15 Across, what today marks for some Star Wars aficionados |
| 41% | STATE | 5 | Billy Joel song, New York __ of Mind |
| 41% | ITGOES | 6 | "And So __": Billy Joel song |
| 41% | ITGOES | 6 | "And So ___": Billy Joel song |
| 41% | PIANO | 5 | "___ Man" (classic Billy Joel song) |
| 41% | MAN | 3 | "Piano ___" (classic Billy Joel song) |
| 41% | ALLENTOWN | 9 | 1982 Billy Joel song (PA) |
| 41% | PIANOMAN | 8 | Semi-autobiographical Billy Joel song |
| 41% | ADIOS | 5 | With 15 or 28 Across, oater farewell |
| 41% | PLAYOFF | 7 | With 15 Across, growth for many a player pursuing the Stanley Cup |