| BEHEADS | Takes off the top, and a hint to 17-, 24-, 47- and 56-Across |
| OPENS | Takes off the top |
| SKIMS | Takes off the top |
| BYHOOKORBYCROOK | How 18-, 24-, 47- and 56-Across may be defined |
| TNT | Demolition letters...and a hint to 17-, 24-, 47- and 57-Across |
| LUMBAGO | New album by legend is over-the-top and a pain in the rear (7) |
| POLLARD | What is to cut off the top and branches of a tree to encourage new growth? (7) |
| TRIMMED | Took just a bit off the top and sides, maybe |
| AIRLINE | Receding? A bit off the top and you're flighty again (7) |
| DROPTHEBALL | Mess up ... and a hint to 17-, 24-, 36and 50- Across |
| ITSMEAGAIN | "I'm back!" ... or a hint to 17-, 24-, 38- and 51- Across |
| SKIMP | Take off the top, snap back and cut corners (5) |
| CHERRIES | Tasty, tiny fruits with a stem on top and a hard seed (also called a "pit") in the center |
| KEPI | A cap with a flat circular top and a visor (4) |
| LINZERTORTE | Rich Austrian pastry with a bottom crust and lattice top and a filling of raspberry jam (6,5) |
| DIABOLO | A game with a two-headed top and a string stretched between sticks (7) |
| EATEN | Local licked off the top and swallowed (5) |
| LEADEROFTHEPACK | 1964 Shangri-Las hit ... or a hint to this puzzle's theme found in 17-, 24-, 47- and 59-Across |
| BACKINTHEGAME | Returning to action, and, on a gridiron, what each first word of 17-, 24-, 47- and 55-Across is |
| UNCAP | Take off the top, in a way |
