"The Statue Got Me High" TMBG on Jonathan Ross Show, 1992

They Might Be Giants performing their single "The Statue Got Me High" on UK television show The Jonathan Ross Show in 1992, backed by Steve Neive and The Love Band. Watch out for manager Jamie and roadie Adam in the studio audience, and check out Linnell jamming with the house band during the closing titles.

[@mkpianofab]

I think John is way more attractive than John.

[@lyinsroar9637]

mkpianofab no its John whos the real catch here

[@BettyJoBialofski]

But John really has all the talent.

[@sterisharms1468]

Them's fighting words

[@smackie9]

This made me laugh 😅

[@ronan-outoftime]

nah john is much cuter

[@TheBestBoyyeeehehe]

John Linnell is a beautiful man

[@ClueSign]

+The Best Boy Oh indeed

[@PhantomTransmission]

The Best Boy can we forget the fact that John Linnell is attractive and pay attention to the fact that he is a good musician?

[@emilioaladwhosintheinterne8421]

He looks like the perfect cosplay of an nonexistent quirky tumblr villain.

[@mobius273]

Everyones talking about linnell but flans is also looking pretty damn cute

[@wittacism]

Linnell looks like such a hipster in this video. And that haircut, honestly, he shouldn't be able to pull it off (in theory). And Flans is no slouch either. He's so rock and roll, but his wardrobe looks like he stumbled out of the 50's. Love him though. Flans has so much fun onstage.

[@Meefer]

I remember Linell's hair being like this, but I think this is the peak of *Flansburgh's* asymmetrical hair.

[@silly_billy_puppet]

THIS MAKES ME SO SUPER HAPPY !!!!!

[@ronan-outoftime]

SAME

[@HectorBadillaOfficial]

Damn, i got chills when he said the very last word. I love how super-on-Key Linnell always is.

[@einootspork]

I like how Linnell is jamming with the house band at the end and Flansburgh is just like "....yep......"

[@Ittan11]

That is possibly the coolest looking guitar I've ever seen.

[@SageGrim]

13 years late. its the mojo chessmaster.

[@euphrosyne1]

Love how they consistently cut to the accordion when the sax plays that little riff at the end of the line. That's some *genius* camera work. Also holy moly I don't think I've ever seen an adorabler guy than that kid on the accordion! How did I never know Linnell was THAT CUTE?!?

[@ZoeAlexa11]

I know right? I love him

[@d1nn3r_b3ll]

bro they are both so talented and adorable

[@notanotherjamesmurphy5574]

John’s definitely more talented, though, even John would say the same

[@SunsetBear]

I have a crush on john linnell

[@aquasomethingyouknowwhatever]

Sunsetbear don’t we all

[@PhantomTransmission]

Sunsetbear can we forget the fact that John Linnell is attractive and pay attention to the fact that he is a good musician?

[@aquasomethingyouknowwhatever]

Elbo VonDonnegan we could but he’s hot

[@PhantomTransmission]

dangeresque I am not gay.

[@aquasomethingyouknowwhatever]

Elbo VonDonnegan doesn’t mean he’s not hot

[@tycobb8621]

The truth is where the sculptor's chisel chipped away the lye. Genius.

[@TheBags]

I think you'll find it much more clever spelt "lye."

[@tycobb8621]

Doctor Disco yes, it's clearly a double entendre. lye/lie

[@kssykssygg]

Gahh! Linnell is just so engrossing. I have to look at him.

[@rattyeely]

Linnell looks so happy in this

[@HowDaddyIsDoing]

wow...everything about this is SO early nineties!!! the colours, clothing, camera angles...even the way people move! what a funny intro to see after all these years. what were we thinking back then??? great performance by TMBG, though

[@crumberly]

Few things to point out. • Oh my god LINNELL IS SMILING stop the presses! His shirt and the Apollo 18 hair rock on! • What dialect does the host have? English with a lisp? =-) • Flansy. Yes. • This song is absolutely amazing and they play it almost identically to the recording. They Might Be Giants win at life.

[@0ctopus4]

10 years late but... yes

[@snakes7303]

Almost 11 years late..but yes

[@leotmbg.]

almost 12….still yes

[@piupaupompompom]

13 years late but… still yes!

[@alhillx]

This backing band is fabulous.

[@frantzmr]

John Linnell *swoon*

[@bitterblue8]

"A rock that spoke a word!" Tysm! Love this; never saw them do it live! Love these guys more than can be expressed in words! Nobody else like them! Thanks again for posting it!

[@priestessofpan]

I was there in that audience, having been given a backstage pass by Jonathon Ross at a TMBG gig a few days beforehand! I thought I could be seen in the audience but can't find myself. I wonder if this was a differently edited version to the one I videoed all those years ago. I'm going to HAVE to find that tape now. I'm loving your videos astral bee!

[@astralbee]

@khwalt2 TMBG were still a duo at this time. Their first full band were back in the USA rehearsing while they were touring the UK in 1992 to promote Apollo 18 as a duo. When TMBG went on TV shows as a duo they usually performed with the show's house band. Steve Nieve and The Loveband were the house band for this particular show back in 1992.

[@L0REN0R2Z0RR0]

First I was like "Oh, that keyboardist looks a lot like Steve Nieve..!" Now I'm like "Damn, that really IS Steve Nieve! "

[@HappyMuffin]

How incredible, TMBG playing with Steve Nieve, the man who played keys for Elvis Costello!

[@JMein13074]

Amazing! I've been a fan of TMBG for years, yet I never knew Flans was a lefty.

[@EmpressStubble]

Wow, you must be a hardcore fan. I wasn't even born when this was on TV, yay for astralbee.

[@PooperScooperTrooper]

oh, oh oh oh how much do I love TMBG? Too much. Seeing this after several years almost brought tears to my eyes. I had this recorded twice on a VHS tape and almost wore the tape thin until I bought the single. Great. Thanks astralbee.

[@robward367]

This was the actual TV show where I first encountered TMBG, great to see it on KZbin, thanks!

[@TheGamingMackV]

These 2 just looked like regular college students all throughout the 90's it seems.

[@shakespearefreak-upon-Avon]

This aired 8 years before I was born 🙂

[@kroneland]

I take great pride in being one of the few Americans who knows who Jonathan Ross is. However, I had no idea he's been on the air for this long. Oh wow.

[@bertfromseasamestreet]

This a really great performance!

[@QliffS]

He's right: TMBG is definately the only band that would even consider about pointing out that everybody wants prosthetic foreheads on their real heads.

[@deanevangelista6359]

Except for Fred Gwynne. He hated wearing that prosthetic forehead, and the green makeup.

[@Zannathin]

I got emotional too. So many great memories listening to them in my youth

[@NvPGulstab]

This is referenced in Their music video for The Mesopotamians, where Sargon plays guitar left-handed.

[@khwalt2]

Got it. Thanks for clarifying. I knew the band had started pretty close to that time. I wasn't aware Steve Nieve was in the Jonathan Ross House Band. Cool.

[@MrSirMrSirMr]

I didn't know anyone else had this! I recorded the original show when it was on, this is a great performance.

[@MrLoufus]

@priestessofpan Lucky!!!!! That is seriously vintage....I saw them live in Pittsburgh circa 1990 - they are just unbelievable good. They still do a lot of shows in the northeast so possible to catch them around.

[@astralbee]

Hey Paul! Yeah, when this was broadcast they were just doing their penultimate tour as a duo. They came back to the UK three months later for one more date, then started with a band as soon as they got back to the USA.

[@BustedHeart]

I haven't seen a mobile set in too long for my own good. This is an amazingly lively performance, even for it being live.

[@Zannathin]

I love this song

[@TrueSoreThumb]

Thank you, Astralbee-- I never thought I'd get to hear another version of this great song 8D

[@thebleedingjeans]

One of those kittens was not prepared to have a good time.

[@odinata]

Its a brand new record--for 1990!

[@Zinkyness]

Man, I forgot these guys have been around THAT long. Damn lol...I've still several of their CD's.

[@astralbee]

@matholton You're most welcome Matholton... and you're right, it WAS broadcast twice!! Wow, what a memory... the first time my VHS screwed up and the recording was lost. I nearly cried. This was recorded when it was repeated. I should have got two copies like you did; that way I could have watched one to death and kept the other in a hermetically sealed case until such time that KZbin existed. Then I wouldn't have those noise bars at the bottom of the picture!!

[@garrywindshield1]

OH I DON'T GIVE A TRUCK ABOUT YOUR NINETIES - THIS.IS.JUST.AWESOME!

[@celethon]

shit's yeah, that level rocked. that was the first place I heard TMBG

[@Havazik]

Nothing says cool like playing accordion and wearing plaid :3

[@BroForce426]

One question remains, what was the statue smoking?

[@Wesleech]

best band ever made. the fans have to keep them alive. bleed with me.

[@astralbee]

@priestessofpan Thanks very much. I haven't edited the video in any way. I recorded it on the original broadcast date on VHS, and this was ripped from it. Perhaps you were visible during some other part of the show and not during the TMBG segments?

[@ilovelaurakay]

Awesome

[@woodoven]

"......high..."

[@odinata]

The skull--it calls to you. You can't refuse to do the things it tells you to.

[@egraseidannogew]

20 years already?

[@NxDoyle]

Linnell 2020.

[@innerspaceboy]

Did anyone else catch Corky and the Juice Pigs in the credits as well? What a great line up!

[@astralbee]

@priestessofpan You know, it WAS broadcast again the night after. I watched it both nights but this recording is from the repeat. My video player screwed up the first time! Having said that... there doesn't seem to be any editing. There is an awquard pause at the end of the song because it ends abruptly which would have been prime for editing out if they were going to chop anything, and the closing theme is played live by the band.

[@johngonzalez624]

Is Flansburgh playing a Telecaster in disguise?

[@aquasomethingyouknowwhatever]

the mojo chessmaster is a custom telecaster!!

[@priestessofpan]

@astralbee If it was broadcast twice it could have been re-edited before the second broadcast. Maybe my memory is wrong but I'm pretty sure I was in the audience shot right at the end after they played. I was wearing a white t-shirt with They Might Be Giants printed on in bright red large letters.

[@FullTonProductions]

that is an accordian

[@frisbeejim]

Aww, the harmony vocals are absent or off compared to the studio version of this song. I love the host's way of introducing the band, "[having] the insight and courage to [point] out that everybody wants to wear prosthetic foreheads on their real heads."

[@SweetDissident]

@k1kula I agree! I like it when he acts real silly; like in the "Don't Let's Start" vid too.

[@astralbee]

After KZbin's compression it is hard to see him. At 00:48 he is dead-centre on the screen - sitting next to a guy in a blue shirt. In fact, that whole row is TMBG's crew. Ex-roadie Adam Gavzer is visible from 04:38. He's the guy that starts freaking out when the girl next to him points out that the camera is on him.

[@420JRMan]

Prob. recall, I ord for word too. Bahp, bahp, bahp. . . .

[@everythingmixedtogether1883]

judging by the little thing before the actual video, im not suprised they chose to play this song

[@deanevangelista6359]

Huh. The statues around here only steal my stash!

[@masterepros]

I actually have that on KZbin, haha. He definitely swallowed air funny or was losing his voice at that point, I think.

[@PooperScooperTrooper]

@astralbee JRoss is a top dude as well, he got me and my pals backstage at the shepards bush gig several years ago - Best Night Ever :-) Are you seeing them in July, in London? I must. I have to.

[@astralbee]

@khwalt2 Yep!

[@khwalt2]

@astralbee Why was he there? Is that a "UK put- together for TV" Band? They sound awesome, but I just don't know how much touring TMBG's do, especially elsewhere in the world..

[@charlescharliejpeg]

they are so HOT

[@littletriggers234]

Followed by Steve Nieve and the Playboys

[@StevelaFrench]

@richardmulroy He is our hero!

[@satori4183]

Linnell doesn't have Resting Serial Killer face but actually looks kinda ...alluring?

[@BrainSpecialist]

Tabloid footprints in your hair!

[@odinata]

Why is the world in love again?

[@MaRkIpArK]

john linnell looks almost exactly like dr. julian bashir from star trek ds9 in this video :)

[@midnightcowboy1969]

don’t care if this comment is nine years old you are wrong

[@marshallbrooksmusic]

@IamNowJMAN To the show or to the song?

[@PwnedByNinjas]

I think this version is so great because of the drummer. I prefer the fills he does over the ones on the original. It doesn't matter though, this song is great either way.

[@NvPGulstab]

I said "is referenced" not "is a reference to".

[@masterepros]

The concert that I went to on New Years', he must have been losing his voice or something because he tried to hide a cough in the middle of Birdhouse and then ended on a rather sour "soul". It makes me laugh, though.

[@khwalt2]

Steve Nieve on keys???

[@pigglesy]

The statue got me high.No reason to pull them all down though.

[@FASTFASTmusic]

there 1:21

[@MasterOfKnowledge.]

What kind of guitar is Flansburgh using?

[@BoxesOfFoxes]

MasterOfKnowledge it's a custom mojo chessmaster

[@MasterOfKnowledge.]

Byron Benoit That's kickass

[@BoxesOfFoxes]

MasterOfKnowledge right!! I wish I could jam on one of those lol

[@bradwakey90]

One he built himself

[@ApeQuake]

song starts at 1:21

[@mr.drearygiraffe6005]

i might be gay

[@Wonko19]

Except The Mesopotamians was about 15 years later.

[@nicholasparker.970]

The hair. His hair, everybody. HIS HAIR, GUYS.

[@odinata]

@Pacarama Flood!

[@jaygold9923]

and what they found was just a statue...

[@odinata]

Why are the Ocean levels rising up?

[@geeko55]

I want John Flansburg's guitar!

[@AidanJDupuy]

The meaning of this song is so odd

[@BroForce426]

Aidan Dupuy Aren't all of their meanings for their Songs odd

[@jasper7439]

some of their songs dont even mean anything at all.

[@Rohan2300]

I think I prefer their albums to their live performances. they kinda sped things up for their live stuff. sounds like their not having fun so much.

[@Moronmommy]

they are some bamfs

[@uber-cg8vq]

Great band, great song, but damn, linell fucked up that accordion intro

[@bradwakey90]

uber9000 Sounds alright to me?

[@BroForce426]

Impossible. Linnell is infallible.

[@IamNowJMAN]

That was the worst intro ever.