Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy has written a crossword puzzle for the New York Times, and it has nods to David Bowie, Sex Pistols and more.
The commission for his rock ‘n’ roll-themed crossword came following the publication’s list of the 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters dropping, and each name included being asked to write their own mini puzzle for the outlet’s digital crossword section.
Sadly, Tweedy did not make that list – despite voting for himself – however, after being a self-admitted “addict” to crossword puzzles, he was asked by NYT to contribute a full-sized puzzle for the monthly bonus game.
Titled ‘My Life Was Saved By Rock ’N’ Roll’, his puzzle is centred around the artists who have inspired him over the years, and famous faces mentioned in the clues include Sex Pistols, David Bowie, The Velvet Underground, Keith Richards and Johnny Cash.
He also spoke to the outlet’s games editor Christina Iverson about his long-running passion for puzzles and revealed that being a songwriter for so many years actually made it easier for him to design his crossword for the monthly bonus game.
“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 explained. “But the difference obviously is that there’s no right answer for a song, really, and there definitely is one for a crossword puzzle.”
The Wilco frontman also shared his excitement at being invited to help design a puzzle in a new update on Substack, quipping that he was a “massive crossword puzzle nut” and genuinely believed he had a borderline unhealthy obsession with them.
“As an addict, you have to remind yourself that you’re still an addict, even when you’re aren’t doing things that are terrible for you,” he wrote.
“Crossword puzzles are a pretty benign outlet for an addictive tendency, in my opinion.” Visit here to check out the crossword if you have a subscription to the New York Times.
Tweedy’s latest efforts for the publication come on the heels of Wilco announcing a UK and European headline tour for this summer.
The Chicago indie band’ last studio album was 2023’s ‘Cousin’, and they then followed it up with the ‘Hot Sun Cool Shroud’ EP the following year.
Last year, Tweedy announced a new triple solo album, ‘Twilight Override’ – his fifth record as a solo artist and containing 30 tracks – and he then went on to join Hayley Williams, Waxahatchee, Weyes Blood, Rufus Wainwright, Maren Morris and more as special guests when Bleachers performed at Newport Folk Festival 2025.
Earlier this year, he shared an emotive cover of Cameron Winter’s ‘Love Takes Miles’ for Valentine’s Day, dedicated to his wife Susan.
