Puzzle 159 – “I Don’t Think That I Can Take It”
puz here / pdf here / solution here
The seed entry (and title inspiration) here was 18-Down, it will come as no surprise to longtime friends of the blog. I’m well aware that this tune is polarizing. If you’re not a fan (or if you’re entirely unfamiliar), please enjoy this version (spoiler at the link, obviously).
This was a fun grid shape to play around with. It’s unusual because there are 12 entries of 9 letters or more, but they aren’t stacked at all. The 6 long across entries don’t touch at all, nor do the 6 long down entries. The upside: cool grid shape! The downside: altering just about any fill would require complete disassembly. As a result, there’s no fill here that I just can’t abide (wait, the title… I mean, no fill that I can’t take) but a couple non-ideal bits may have made it through.
Favorite clues: 6-Down for the fun fact. 52-Down because, well, you should know why by now. And 10-Down because I may just keep leaning into these “vintage” moments here even harder.
As ever, yall, comments are welcomed. Hope you enjoy. Happy solving, friends.
That was a ton of fun! I was wondering if your link was to the (I think) superior Weird Al song. Ha. Congrats on a great showing at Westwords!
Thanks! You were there in person, right? With a solid showing yourself, no?
Must have been a good time, I’m sure.
Thanks! Yeah, it was a great time and a really good turnout, filled with people who were at their first ever crossword tournament. Plus the weather was perfect!
I’m delighted to learn that 50A is “real” terminology, and I just went and read about 38A … incredible. Now I’m going off to find out about 18D being polarising, because I wasn’t aware of that either. Thank you for another fun puzzle with many interestingness hooks!
The 38A story is wild.
I don’t love the original version of 18D, but there are some amazing covers out there.
Lots of good stuff! As for “MacArthur Park”, I remember hearing the Richard Harris (“A Man Called Horse” actor) version and liking it, even though his vocals were overwrought. And Donna Summer also had a hit with a “disco-fied” version.
And now I’m listening to the Four Tops version, and then I’ll give a listen to the Weird Al version.
I like the Donna Summer version too. Also learned not long ago about one by The Three Degrees that is top notch.
good one! thanks!
missed the cross of 49A and 45D.
had no idea 30A only applied to the winter
If you make a note of 49A, you’ll be in luck on the next one…