Theme: The Fab Four
20A. #1 hit by a 30-Across member : "BAND ON THE RUN". Paul McCartney & Wings Clip.(5:14) There is an extensive write-up with it.
30A. '60s pop group : BEATLES
35A. #1 hit by a 30-Across member : "MY SWEET LORD". George Harrison Clip.(4:57) I've never heard this version and had a hard time believing it really was George. (still not sure)
44A. #1 hit by a 30-Across member : "IMAGINE". John Lennon Clip.(3:32)
54A. #1 hit by a 30-Across member : "YOU'RE SIXTEEN". Ringo Starr Clip.(2:47)
Argyle here. It was tough listening to all those clips but somebody had to do it.
Across:
1. Canal locale : PANAMA. "A man, a plan, a canal – Panama!" Famous palindrome.
7. Exile isle : ELBA. "Able was I ere I saw Elba" Another one.
11. Young boy : LAD
14. Mount where Noah's ark landed : ARARAT
15. Color similar to aqua : TEAL
16. "__ was saying ..." : AS I
17. Staccato's opposite : LEGATO. Detached versus smoothly, per this handy site.
18. "B.C." creator Johnny : HART. Comic strip.
19. Mex. neighbor : USA
23. Longtime U.K. record label : EMI. There is a connection between EMI, Apple Records and the Beatles.
26. Speechifier's spot : DAIS
27. Botanical puffiness : EDEMA
28. High-pitched flute : PICCOLO
32. Shady spot : ARBOR
33. Detective's lead : CLUE
40. Ain't as it should be? : ISN'T. Clever clue.
41. Bring together : UNITE
49. Gasoline ratings : OCTANES
51. Parceled (out) : DOLED
52. Sharer's word : OURS
53. Tree juice : SAP
58. Advanced legal deg. : LL.M. (Master of Laws)
59. Top of the line : A-ONE
60. Stylish Oldsmobiles : ALEROs. Gone but not forgotten.
64. PC linking acronym : LAN. A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers in a limited area such as a home, school, or office building. (Wiki)
65. __ Gaga : LADY. I have no idea what this clip is about. It is a collection of clips of the Beatles while Lady Gaga sings Let's play a Love Game.
66. Catches some z's : SLEEPS
67. Doo-wop's __ Na Na : SHA
68. Terrier named for a Scottish isle : SKYE
69. Expansive home : ESTATE
Down:
1. Bud : PAL
2. "My lips __ sealed" : ARE
3. Re-re-re-remind? : NAG. "If I told you once, I've told you five times ..."
4. Oman man, usually : ARAB
5. Bullfighters : MATADORS. We had TORERO yesterday. Both fight the bull but it is the MATADOR that may kill the bull.
6. Keyless : ATONAL. Tricky clue.
7. Spirit of a people : ETHOS
8. Hamburger grading word : LEAN
9. Starr of the NFL : BART. Card. No relation to Ringo Starr.
10. '50s tennis standout Gibson : ALTHEA
11. Bay leaf source : LAUREL
12. Undertake, as responsibilities : ASSUME
21. Bishop's domain : DIOCESE
22. N.J. summer setting : EDT
23. Org. with a monthly "Go Green!" newsletter : EPA. The May issue.
24. Craft whose name means "peace" : MIR. The space station operated in low Earth orbit from 1986 to 2001.
25. SALT weapon : ICBM. (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks/InterContinental Ballistic Missile)
29. Playfully noncommittal : COY
30. "Keep your opinions to yourself!" : "BUTT OUT!". Unfortunately, we must tell some Anons to do this when they cross the line. Oh wait, we delete and ignore the trolls.
31. Long-bodied swimmer : EEL
34. Novelist Deighton : LEN
36. Carry the day : WIN
37. Bests in the market : OUTSELLS. (both verbs)
38. Messenger molecule : RNA
39. Headache intensifiers : DINS
42. Afternoon social : TEA
43. Debatable mental ability : ESP. (ExtraSensory Perception)
44. Poems with pastoral themes : IDYLLs. Idylls of the King, published between 1856 and 1885, is a cycle of twelve narrative poems by the English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Care to read them? Link.
45. Do-re-mi : MOOLAH
46. Mount Holyoke grad : ALUMNA. Although Mount Holyoke only considers female applicants for admission, it will award diplomas to transgendered students who become male or identify themselves as male by the time they complete their studies. So are they ALUMNA or ALUNUS?
47. Lang. of Luther : GER.
48. Worthy principles : IDEALS
50. Pressed-pants feature : CREASE
52. Yellow-and-white daisy : OXEYE
55. Linger in the Jacuzzi : SOAK
56. Memorial Day race, informally : INDY
57. Old Nair rival : NEET
61. "Michael Collins" actor Stephen : REA. He may not have much on this side of the Atlantic but check out his IMDb entry.
62. Pick, with "for" : OPT
63. U-turn from NNW : SSE. (HDG's)
Argyle
