| THETIMES | With 38- and 52-Across, 1964 Bob Dylan song ... or a hint to the answers to this puzzle's starred cl |
| BLOWININTHEWIND | Bob Dylan song ... or a hint to the object |
| BABE | "It Ain't Me, ___" (1964 Bob Dylan song) |
| PASSERBYSCOMMENT | With 38 and 52 Across, the intro to an observation |
| SNATCH | A swift act or thing, such as a hasty grab or catch; a kidnapping or theft; a quick bite to eat; a brief spell of exertion, sleep, time etc; a fragment of a song or a talk; or, a quibble (6) |
| MIDDLEEAR | Site of the hammer, anvil and stirrup ... and a hint to the hidden word in the answers to starred cl |
| BEONTHEBALL | Demonstrate effectiveness, and a literal hint to the puzzle theme found in the answers to starred cl |
| BCS | Recently retired NCAA football ranking system, and, as a plural, a hint to the answers to starred cl |
| HITPARADE | List of popular songs ... or a hint to the ends of the answers to the starred clues |
| SPREADOUT | Moe's stern command to Larry and Curly, sometimes - and a hint to the answers to this puzzle's starred clues |
| MRINBETWEEN | Something to "call me" per an old song, or a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| TEARAPART | Rip to pieces, and a hint to what's hidden in the answers to this puzzle's starred clues |
| CIRCLESBACK | Brings up a prior topic ... or a hint to making sense of the answers to this puzzle's starred clues |
| ONETWOTHREEKICK | Classic Xavier Cugat song ... or a hint to the invitation in the circled letters |
| POSITIVE | Word (suggested by the black shape in this grid's center) that can precede the answers to starred cl |
| AANDW | Classic root beer brand ... or a hint to the answers to this puzzle's starred clues |
| ROCKBOTTOM | All-time low ... or a musical hint to the answers to this puzzle's starred clues |
| FIVESECONDRULE | Dubious food-eating guideline ... or a hint to the answers to this puzzle's starred clues |
| BACKEND | Caboose, and a hint to what can followed the answers to this puzzle's starred clues |
| ICECREAM | Yummy words that can precede the starts of 17-, 26-, 38-, and 52- Across (and Happy National ___ Day!) |
