| VOLATILE | There it is, heartless, backward, the pick of society for the most part and highly strung (8) |
| YMA | Diva Sumac (and backward, the theme of this puzzle) |
| BRITTLE | Teetotaller, 50, covered in cheese and highly strung (7) |
| DEB | New member of society, for short |
| DONKEYSYEARS | Party approaches must protect important fringes of society for ages (7,5) |
| SURLIEST | The most bad-mannered? Yes, for the most part, and doesn't tell the truth starting trouble! (8) |
| REFORMER | Person who wants to change society for the better (8) |
| FRESCO | It's raw for the most part, and cold going around for the last supper, for instance (6) |
| REVERSED | Moved backwards: - the car |
| STRICT | Sabbath, Sting, for the most part, and one of The Cars demanding the rules are observed (6) |
| RUNTIEST | Hardly like the pick of the litter |
| PLECTRUM | The pick of stringed instruments! (8) |
| ESTEEMED | Plaice finally cooked, say, and highly thought of (8) |
| FREESIAS | Release, as is, variegated and highly-fragrant flowers (8) |
| PASTRAMI | Smoked and highly seasoned cut of beef originating in Romania (8) |
| RHAPSODY | A musical composition that is free in structure and highly emotional in character |
| STATUS | Position of, for example, Mexico, for the most part, and America (6) |
| ENVIABLE | Men to go topless -- possible, and highly desirable (8) |
| DEMERARA | Dreamer madly drinks a little applejack and highly flavoured rum (8) |
| PIPERACK | Supporter of smokers in 14 down, for the most part, and 2 down (4,4) |
