==Live==
"Terrible Lie" is often the opening song of Nine Inch Nails shows following an introduction, which may be "[[Now I'm Nothing]]" ([[Lollapalooza]] '91, [[Wave_Goodbye_Tour#NIN.2FJA_2009|NIN/JA 2009]]) or, often, a manipulated pre-recorded version of "[[Pinion]]." The live version typically omits the keyboard and bass harmony for the first half of the first chorus, a feature of the [[Terrible_Lie#Terrible_Lie_.28Sympathetic_Mix.29|Sympathetic mix]]. The ending of the song is extended when performed live and is often concluded with Reznor screaming "you promised me," followed by a brief sample of the words "will you forgive me?" heard clearly in [http://www.4shared.com/file/101153106/9c4183de/forgiveme_sample_shallowgrave.html this] example (from the bootleg Shallow Grave). The variation performed on the [[Wave Goodbye Tour]] is mostly the same as the version introduced by the ''[[With Teeth]] '' lineup. However, as the live band is now only 4 members, all synth parts are absent, leaving only loud guitar riffs (this is most noticeable in the chorus, and right before the outro where there is usually a 'hammer-synth' countermelody played over the chorus progression). From time to time, the band has been known to end the song with some good old fashioned instrument destruction. This can be seen in the 1989-1991 footage that was added as an appendage to the "DVD" version of ''[[Closure]]''.
During the [[Live: With Teeth]] tours, [[Aaron North]] plays a short solo during the last few moments of the song. This is a short, three note repeating solo.