
Elvis Costello
Biography
Referencing prodigies of rock lyricism may not bring Elvis Costello to mind for some, but he does deserve consideration. Through the course of over four decades, the former computer programmer has maintained a career as a singer-songwriter, giving the likes of Bob Dylan himself a reckoning. He was born Declan MacManus in London, England, on August 25, 1954. He took the moniker Elvis Costello in 1977, adopting his first name from Elvis Presley and the last part from the maiden name of his mother. Also in '77, Costello's debut album My Aim Is True was released, drawing connections to the new wave and punk movement while showing musical variance. That year, Costello's band The Attractions was assembled. The group released a number of albums, including This Year's Model, Armed Forces, and Trust. 1986's Blood and Chocolate produced memorable, literate gems, such as "Tokyo Storm Warning" and "I Want You."
After the Attractions' final show in 1996, caused by conflict between Costello and the band's bassist Bruce Thomas, two of the group's other members would become part of his new backing band, The Imposters. Costello has released over 30 albums.
Acting (83 movies)

There's Only One Paul McCartney
2002

Spice World
1997

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
2006

Straight to Hell
1987

Delirious
2007

Lindisfarne’s Geordie Genius: The Alan Hull Story
2021

Elvis Costello and the Brodsky Quartet - The Juliet Letters
1991

Live Aid
1985

A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
2008

Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged
1994

Chet Baker Live at Ronnie Scott's
1986

Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night
1988

Americathon
1979

Sounds of Liverpool at the BBC
2023

In Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story
1999

September Songs: The Music of Kurt Weill
1994

George Jones: With a Little Help from His Friends
1981

Here, There and Everywhere: A Concert for Linda
1999

No Surrender
1985

Paul McCartney: Put It There
1989

Elvis Costello & The Imposters: Club Date - Live in Memphis
2004

Memento Mori
2008

Putting the River in Reverse
2006

Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint: Hot as a Pistol, Keen as a Blade
2006

A Tribute To Burt Bacharach & Hal David
2001

Love Shines
2010

Tony Bennett's New York
1996

200 Cigarettes
1999

Roy Orbison Forever
2022

The Bullshitters: Roll Out the Gunbarrel
1984

Elvis Costello: Mystery Dance
2013

Lost Songs: The Basement Tapes Continued
2014

Elvis Costello: Live: A Case for Song
2007

Classic Albums: U2 - The Joshua Tree
1999

Experience Montreux
2013

Elvis Costello: North
2003

A MusiCares Tribute to Neil Young
2011

Freedom Beat
2003

Brian Wilson’s Imagination
1998

The Specials – A Message to You
2024

Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile
2004

If It Ain't Stiff: The Stiff Records Story
2007

Unleaded
2000

Tony Bennett: Duets - The Making of an American Classic
2007

Elvis Costello - Detour Live at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
2015

Philip K Dick: A Day in the Afterlife
1994

The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years
2016

The Old, Weird America: Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music
2007

From the Big Apple to the Big Easy: The Concert for New Orleans
2006

De-Lovely
2004

Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen
2018

I Was There: When the Beatles Played the Cavern
2011

Elvis Costello & The Attractions Live in Montreaux
1980

Elvis Costello: The Right Spectacle - The Very Best of Elvis Costello
2005

Elvis Costello & The Imposters: The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook
2012

Dusty
1994

Red Shoes In the Land of the Midnight Sun: Elvis Costello & The Confederates Live in Tokyo
1987

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
1999

Live Aid
2004

Weird Nightmare
1993

Ex Libris: The New York Public Library
2017

If It Ain't Stiff, It Ain't Worth a Fuck
1978

Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration
2019

Grand Ole Opry Live
2006

Burt Bacharach: One Amazing Night
1998

Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today
2005

Before the Music Dies
2006

The Harry Smith Project Live
2006

A Prairie Home Companion Live in HD!
2010

Ringo Starr’s Big Birthday Show
2020

Prison Song
2001

Elvis Costello and The Attractions: Live at The Capitol Theatre
1978

Elvis Costello and The Attractions: Live on Rockpalast
1978

Johnny Cash: The Last Great American
2004

I Love Your Work
2003

Johnny Cash: The Man in Black in Britain
2020

Concerts for the People of Kampuchea
1981

The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder: Punk & New Wave
2006

Emmylou Harris: From a Deeper Well
2003

Elvis Costello & Friends
2006

Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
2025

Live From Bonnaroo 2009
2009

Roy Orbison: Black and White Night 30
2017
| Title | Year | Job |
|---|---|---|
| The Shape of Things | 2003 | Original Music Composer |