Blindsides

3 clues
Catches unawares
When shortened, lesser-played songs
Surprises unpleasantly, and a hint to each starred answer's first two + last two letters
Similar answers:
Ablind
Areyoublind
Asides
Backsides
Baringsides
Bedsides
Bernesides
Besides
Blind
Blindalley
Blindalleys
Blindambition
Blindas
Blindasabat
Blindaudition
Blindbaldbeauty
Blindbid
Blindblindstudy
Blindboys
Blindcopy