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Jeff Tweedy Crafts Rock ‘n’ Roll Crossword for The New York Times
Jeff Tweedy created a rock 'n' roll crossword for the New York Times titled 'My Life Was Saved By Rock ’N’ Roll', featuring Bowie, Sex Pistols and more.
Jeff Tweedy has written a rock ‘n’ roll‑themed crossword for the New York Times. The full‑length puzzle is titled ‘My Life Was Saved By Rock ’N’ Roll’ and it names artists who have influenced him, including Sex Pistols, David Bowie, The Velvet Underground, Keith Richards and Johnny Cash.
The commission followed the paper’s release of its 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters list, where each named songwriter was asked to produce a mini puzzle for the outlet’s digital crossword section. Tweedy was not included on that list, despite voting for himself, but the New York Times later invited him to create a full‑sized puzzle for the monthly bonus game.
Speaking with the paper’s games editor Christina Iverson, Tweedy — a self‑described “addict” of crossword puzzles — connected his songwriting practice to puzzle construction. “I think putting a song together and finding the right word to express what you want to say succinctly or with clarity, that can feel like putting a puzzle together sometimes,” he said. “But the difference obviously is that there’s no right answer for a song, really, and there definitely is one for a crossword puzzle.”
Tweedy also posted about the invitation on Substack, calling himself a “massive crossword puzzle nut” and writing, “As an addict, you have to remind yourself that you’re still an addict, even when you aren’t doing things that are terrible for you.” He added, “Crossword puzzles are a pretty benign outlet for an addictive tendency, in my opinion.”
Subscribers can view the puzzle via the New York Times games page.
The puzzle arrives as Wilco prepare a UK and European headline tour for this summer. The Chicago band’s last studio album was 2023’s Cousin, which was followed by the Hot Sun Cool Shroud EP the following year.
Last year Tweedy announced a triple solo album, Twilight Override — his fifth solo record and a 30‑track set. He also joined Bleachers as a special guest at Newport Folk Festival 2025, appearing alongside Hayley Williams, Waxahatchee, Weyes Blood, Rufus Wainwright, Maren Morris and others.
Earlier this year, Tweedy released a cover of Cameron Winter’s “Love Takes Miles” for Valentine’s Day, dedicated to his wife, Susan.
READ MORE: Soundtrack Of My Life: Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy
