The May MMMM challenged solvers to find the grid entry whose clue needs to be changed to make the meta mechanism consistent. The key, hinted at by the title “Backbreaking Work,” is to recognize that five of the puzzle’s rows – and, specifically, the only rows broken up by black squares into three separate entries – are intended to be read backwards. Doing this spells out the name of five famous singers.

That’s step one. Step two is to realize that a song by each of these singers appears elsewhere in the grid. Four of these five songs are clued with the format [{artist name} song …], and one is not, as shown in the table below:

The clue [Unrivaled] for Tina Turner’s hit “The Best” does not fit the pattern, and needs to be changed to [Tina Turner song about someone who surpasses all others] or something similar to be consistent. It is thus this month’s meta answer!

Since we’re a bit devious, the grid also contained the non-musically-clued entries DIANA and SORRY (each famous songs, but not by any of the theme artists) to ensure solvers grasped the full mechanism.

Meta Song:

I had fun learning a solo cover of this one. Enjoy!

Selected Solver Comments: (thanks for the great feedback!)

Dave C   Lorne Greene appeared out of nowhere! Thank goodness….

gpagano   Woah, that’s a lot of theme content … Well done on finding a set of five that worked … Tough puzzle, but well worth the squeeze in my book.

ryoustra   You guys are what Tina said… ingenious idea, amazing execution, with the perfect title. Kudos!

pxofferson   … one of the great crossword constructions in recent memory.

Neville   When I originally solved the puzzle, I was *shocked* this [THE BEST] didn’t get a musical clue. Imagine my surprise when TINA TURNER was the *first* reversed name I spotted in the grid! Very fun; looking forward to the cover.

boharr   Can’t wait for the key change.   Sorry to disappoint – didn’t seem appropriate for the slowed down version.

Alternative Music Clues:

pbfrommn suggests cluing HAD IT  as [“We ___ all / Just like Bogie and Bacall” (“Key Largo” lyric)].

Evan suggests cluing SORRY as [“Yeah, I know that I let you down / Is it too late to say I’m ___ now?” (Justin Bieber lyric)], DIANA as [Princess for whom Elton John sang the lyric “Goodbye England’s rose” in 1997], and SAL as [The Beau Brummels lead singer Valentino].

Groaners:

mpf004   this theme was simply … you know.

JayW0509   Big Wheel Keep On Turning to another solve

Mikey G   I solve you when I need you
It’s a grid so fine
You puzzle me, puzzle me
Every time
When you puzzle me
Give me every grid I need

Give me a lifetime of metas with all you do
Speak a language of fun with your grids and clues
And it can’t be wrong
Take my brain and make it strong

You’re simply the best
Better than all the rest
Better than anyone
Anyone I’ve ever met*

*Except for everyone else who also makes and solves puzzles – you’re all equally the best!

mikem   Pete, you are The Best! I loved this puzzle!

LaceyK   Simply the best! (I wonder how many times you’ll hear that) About 15!

Totals this month:

221 correct, 60 incorrect

Rating: 4.42 out of 5 stars

Difficulty: 3.63 out of 5

Monthly mug winner: DJB

Thanks to Matt Gaffney for blogging the puzzle at Crossword Fiend, where you can rate the puzzle (thanks!) and/or leave a comment.

Thanks to Tamara Brenner for the graphic.

Thanks for playing and see you next month!