Crossword Blog & Answers for December 6, 2024 by Sally Hoelscher

Constructors: Amie Walker & Amanda Rafkin

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Random Thoughts & Interesting Things

• TAYLOR SWIFT (60A: Singer-songwriter celebrated in this puzzle) I’m guessing you might have picked up on the fact that this is a TAYLOR SWIFT tribute puzzle. It’s impressive how much theme content Amie and Amanda have managed to pack into this puzzle! In the spirit of this puzzle, I’ve decided to only highlight the TAYLOR SWIFT-related content. Apologies to other worthy entries. Also, I’ve tried to spot all the TAYLOR SWIFT references, but if you spot some I’ve missed (I’m sure I’ve missed some!) feel free to email me and let me know.
• TWANG (1A: Country music sound) TAYLOR SWIFT began her music career in country music. Some of her early songs feature a slight vocal TWANG. For examples check out “Our Song” and “Teardrops on My Guitar,” both from TAYLOR SWIFT’s 2006 self-titled debut album.
• BAD (10A: “___ Blood”) and RAP (61D: Kendrick Lamar genre) “BAD Blood” is a song from TAYLOR SWIFT’S 2014 album, 1989. A remix of the song featuring RAP artist Kendrick Lamar was released as a single in 2015. “‘Cause, baby, now we got BAD blood / You know it used to be mad love…” The music video for “BAD Blood” won a Grammy Award for Best Music Video.
• I KNOW PLACES (16A: “1989” song about hiding spots) The chorus of “I KNOW PLACES” says, “Baby, I KNOW PLACES we won’t be found / And they’ll be chasing their tails tryin’ to track us down / ‘Cause I, I know places we can hide / I KNOW PLACES, I KNOW PLACES…”
• END GAME (23A: “reputation” song about a forever relationship) The 2017 TAYLOR SWIFT song, “END GAME,” features Ed Sheeran and Future, who are also seen in the music video.
• DON’T BLAME ME (27A: “reputation” song with the lyric “love made me crazy”) Although the TAYLOR SWIFT song, “DON’T BLAME ME,” was originally released in 2017, it gained popularity on TikTok in 2022, resulting in the song’s appearance on the charts in several countries.
• WAY (36A: “What if the ___ you hold me is actually what’s holy?”) and SIN (39A: “Guilty as ___?”) “What if the WAY you hold me is actually what’s holy?” is a lyric from TAYLOR SWIFT’s song, “Guilty as SIN?” The song is on her 2024 album, The Tortured Poets Department.
• BUS (42A: Tour vehicle) I couldn’t find any information on a BUS count for THE ERAS TOUR, but I’m sure there was more than one BUS used to transport all the people involved with the show. I did see some estimates that hauling the equipment for the show took between 50 and 90 semi trucks.
• THE ERAS TOUR (44A: Concert series featuring songs from 10 albums) and ARENA (21A: Venue for 44-Across) Have you heard of THE ERAS TOUR? (A little joke…) TAYLOR SWIFT’s current concert TOUR features songs from the albums: Taylor Swift (2006), Fearless (2008), Speak Now (2010), Red (2012), 1989 (2014), Reputation (2017), Lover (2019), Folklore (2020), Evermore (2020), Midnights (2022), and The Tortured Poets Department (2024). THE ERAS TOUR began on March 17, 2023 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. After 149 shows in ARENAS on five continents, THE ERAS TOUR will conclude on Sunday, December 8 in Vancouver, Canada.
• WHO (63A: “Oh, my God, ___ is she?” I get drunk on jealousy”) “Oh, my God, WHO is she?” / I get drunk on jealousy,” is a lyric from TAYLOR SWIFT’s song, “Blank Space.” The song is from the album 1989.
• STAR (6D: Person in the spotlight) There’s no denying TAYLOR SWIFT has STAR power and is worthy of celebration.
• BEJEWELED (10D: “Midnights” song with the lyric “I can still make the whole place shimmer”) The music video for “BEJEWELED” is influenced by the story “Cinderella.” Laura Dern plays the role of Stepmommy. The stepsisters are portrayed by the band Haim, sisters Este, Alana, and Danielle. “Best believe I’m still BEJEWELED / When I walk in the room / I can still make the whole place shimmer…”
• AFTERGLOW (34D: “Lover” song with the lyric “this ultraviolet morning light below”) The power ballad “Afterglow” (2019) discusses taking the blame for a failed relationship.
• HUE (43D: Maroon or red, e.g.) I almost missed this subtle reference! Red is, of course, the title of TAYLOR SWIFT’s 2012 album.
• EXILE (50D: “folklore” duet featuring Bon Iver) Justin Vernon is the frontman of the indie folk band Bon Iver. He provides vocals on “EXILE.” “I think I’ve seen this film before / And I didn’t like the ending…”
• ECHO (53D: “My thoughts will ___ your name until I see you again”) “My thoughts will ECHO your name until I see you again,” is a line from the TAYLOR SWIFT song “Enchanted.” The song appears on the 2010 album Speak Now.
• STS (58D: Cornelia and Bond, e.g.) Although I didn’t know for sure, I took a guess that these two streets (STS.) were chosen for a reason. Good guess on my part. “Cornelia Street” is a song from TAYLOR SWIFT’s album Lover. The title references a street in the New York City neighborhood Greenwich Village, where TAYLOR SWIFT rented a townhouse at one time. The Lover song, “London Boy,” features the lyrics “Doesn’t have to be Louis V up on Bond Street / Just wanna be with you…”