Different When Played Live

As They Might Be Giants' music is very produced, live shows are a different experience from their records. In most cases this just means that an exotic instrument is replaced with guitar, but many songs have additional surprises when performed live such as additional lyrics or a completely alternate version altogether.

• Alphabet Of Nations has an additional bridge. A studio recording of this arrangement was later released on the 10th anniversary edition of No!.
• The tune to which Ana Ng's bridge is sung varies. (And sometimes is it spoken.) The phrase "human hair" is also sometimes sung in place of "humid air".
• Birdhouse in Your Soul's instrumental section contains an extra melody, and is played in D major (with the original being in C major).
• Black Ops becomes a faster rock version. This version was given a studio treatment in 2015.
• In Circular Karate Chop, "that's very important" is added after the second rule.
• During Experimental Film, Flansburgh shouts "Guitar!" before the solo.
• The Famous Polka is most often performed without its lyrical verses.
• In The Guitar, the second "Is it Jim?" is sometimes replaced with "Is it Dan?" and the second "I don't know" is usually replaced with "I don't think so".
• How Can I Sing Like A Girl? is sometimes performed by only the Johns with a guitar and accordion.
• I Walk Along Darkened Corridors is expanded and becomes a more gritty rock ballad.
• In I'm Having A Heart Attack, Flansburgh sometimes adds lyrics between Linnell's lines.
• Istanbul (Not Constantinople) almost always gains a long, improvisational acoustic guitar intro before the full song kicks in, and it includes a very fast jam after the song. When the song is ending the set, it usually includes a double or triple fake-out ending.
• During Lie Still, Little Bottle, Flansburgh keeps time with a stick.
• Maybe I Know is sometimes performed acoustically with just John and John on accordion and guitar.
• A conga line is started during No One Knows My Plan.
• O, Do Not Forsake Me was performed much faster with Flansburgh singing at some shows in 1995.
• The bridge of Particle Man is usually broken down by Linnell, who often sings part of a non-TMBG song before returning to Particle Man, and universe man is dubbed "excellent" instead of powerful.
• The most recent performances of Robot Parade have been a fusion of the original slow version and the faster "Adult" Version, beginning slowly and gradually picking up speed.
• Sapphire Bullets Of Pure Love has been performed backwards, recorded, and then played in reverse later on in the show.
• Spy is improvised on stage with a "conductor" leading the band in the outro. It has been used to segue into several different songs and covers, and as a medley with Mr. Tambourine Man.
• She's Actual Size is often performed with a drum solo and a variety of tempos throughout.
• They Got Lost is a faster version.
• In Till My Head Falls Off, The word "forgetful" is often replaced with "decrepit".
• Starting in 2013, Toddler Hiway has since been expanded into a full song.
• In Twisting, the name of the band changes.
• Where Your Eyes Don't Go was usually played faster and in 4/4 time; Flansburgh and Linnell just played guitar and accordion, with no other accompaniment. Starting with the Nanobots tour, the song is now performed by the entire band and closely resembles the studio version.
• Whistling In The Dark is usually played in the key of G Minor instead of E Minor. The song starts as acapella, and the second verse starts slow and speeds up in pace to the usual tempo.
• For over two decades, Why Does The Sun Shine? had an alternate, faster version exclusively live. This ceased to be the case when this alternate version was recorded in a studio for Here Comes Science.
• With The Dark is sometimes an alternate version, the slow beginning part being extended for the whole song.