| LETSGOCRAZY | First track on Prince's "Purple Rain," and a hint to each set of circled letters |
| PRINCE | Singer whose Purple Rain and a greatest hits compilation were Billboard's top two albums on May 7 2016 |
| SHEILAE | American percussionist and singer who was the opening act for Prince's Purple Rain Tour |
| INSIDESTORY | Facts known to a select few ... and a hint to each set of circled letters |
| MIXEDFEELINGS | What a bittersweet moment may evoke ... and a hint to each set of circled letters |
| BACKCHANNEL | Unofficial means of communication, and a hint to each set of circled letters |
| REFORMPARTY | Political organization founded in 1995 by 35- Down... and a literal hint to each set of circled letters |
| CHANGEHANDS | Be sold, as property ... and a hint to each set of circled letters |
| ALTERNATEROUTE | GPS suggestion, and a hint to each set of circled letters |
| ROCKYROAD | Nutty ice cream parlor order ... and a hint to each set of circled letters |
| INSIDEPITCH | Ballpark brushback, perhaps ... and a hint to each set of circled letters |
| JOYDIVISION | "Love Will Tear Us Apart" band . . . and a hint to each set of circled letters in this puzzle |
| SIDECAR | Brandy cocktail, and a hint to each set of circled letters |
| TRIMTHETREE | Do a Christmas activity, or a hint to each set of circled letters |
| SHIFTGEARS | Go from neutral to reverse ... and a hint to each set of circles |
| MIXEDDOUBLES | Tennis format with man-and-woman pairs ... and a hint to each set of circles |
| GANGOFFOUR | Faction in China's Cultural Revolution ... or a hint to each set of circled letters |
| HOUSEBROKEN | Like a well-trained pet, and a hint to each set of circles |
| NAMECHANGE | Postnuptial alteration, and a hint to each set of puzzle circles |
| OUTSIDERARTISTS | Self-taught creators, in modern lingo, and a hint to each set of circles |
