Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello

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.

Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
2025
Self
The Specials – A Message to You
2024
Self
Sounds of Liverpool at the BBC
2023
Self (archive footage)
Roy Orbison Forever
2022
Self
Lindisfarne’s Geordie Genius: The Alan Hull Story
2021
Self
Ringo Starr’s Big Birthday Show
2020
Self - Performer
Johnny Cash: The Man in Black in Britain
2020
Self
Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration
2019
Self
Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen
2018
Self - Performer
Ex Libris: The New York Public Library
2017
Self
The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years
2016
Self
Elvis Costello - Detour Live at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
2015
Self
Lost Songs: The Basement Tapes Continued
2014
Self
Elvis Costello: Mystery Dance
2013
Self
Experience Montreux
2013
Self
Elvis Costello & The Imposters: The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook
2012
Self - Performer
A MusiCares Tribute to Neil Young
2011
Self
I Was There: When the Beatles Played the Cavern
2011
Self (archive footage)
Love Shines
2010
Self
A Prairie Home Companion Live in HD!
2010
Self - Singer
A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
2008
Self
Memento Mori
2008
Self
Delirious
2007
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello: Live: A Case for Song
2007
Self - Vocals, Guitar
If It Ain't Stiff: The Stiff Records Story
2007
Self
Tony Bennett: Duets - The Making of an American Classic
2007
Self
The Old, Weird America: Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music
2007
Self
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
2006
Elvis Costello
Putting the River in Reverse
2006
Self
Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint: Hot as a Pistol, Keen as a Blade
2006
Self
From the Big Apple to the Big Easy: The Concert for New Orleans
2006
Self
Grand Ole Opry Live
2006
Self
Before the Music Dies
2006
Self - Musician
The Harry Smith Project Live
2006
Self
The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder: Punk & New Wave
2006
Self
Elvis Costello & Friends
2006
Self (archive footage)
Elvis Costello: The Right Spectacle - The Very Best of Elvis Costello
2005
Self - Performer
Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today
2005
Self
Elvis Costello & The Imposters: Club Date - Live in Memphis
2004
Self
Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile
2004
Self
De-Lovely
2004
Musical Performer - "Let's Misbehave"
Johnny Cash: The Last Great American
2004
Self
The Shape of Things
2003
Original Music Composer
Elvis Costello: North
2003
Self
Freedom Beat
2003
Self
I Love Your Work
2003
Self
Emmylou Harris: From a Deeper Well
2003
Self
There's Only One Paul McCartney
2002
Self
A Tribute To Burt Bacharach & Hal David
2001
Self
Prison Song
2001
Public Defender / Teacher
Unleaded
2000
Elvis Costello
In Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story
1999
Self
Here, There and Everywhere: A Concert for Linda
1999
Self
200 Cigarettes
1999
Self
Classic Albums: U2 - The Joshua Tree
1999
Self
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
1999
Elvis Costello
Brian Wilson’s Imagination
1998
Self
Burt Bacharach: One Amazing Night
1998
Self
Spice World
1997
Elvis Costello
Tony Bennett's New York
1996
Self
Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged
1994
Self
September Songs: The Music of Kurt Weill
1994
Self
Philip K Dick: A Day in the Afterlife
1994
Self - Interviewee
Dusty
1994
Self - Interviewee
Weird Nightmare
1993
Self
Elvis Costello and the Brodsky Quartet - The Juliet Letters
1991
Self
Paul McCartney: Put It There
1989
Self
Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night
1988
Self - Guitar/Electric Organ/Harmonica
Straight to Hell
1987
Hives The Butler
Red Shoes In the Land of the Midnight Sun: Elvis Costello & The Confederates Live in Tokyo
1987
Self - Performer
Club Paradise
1986
Theme Song Performance
Chet Baker Live at Ronnie Scott's
1986
Self
Live Aid
1985
Self
No Surrender
1985
Rosco De Ville
The Bullshitters: Roll Out the Gunbarrel
1984
Stone Deaf A & R Man
George Jones: With a Little Help from His Friends
1981
Self
Concerts for the People of Kampuchea
1981
Self
Elvis Costello & The Attractions Live in Montreaux
1980
Self - Performer
Americathon
1979
The Earl of Manchester
If It Ain't Stiff, It Ain't Worth a Fuck
1978
Self
Elvis Costello and The Attractions: Live at The Capitol Theatre
1978
Self
Elvis Costello and The Attractions: Live on Rockpalast
1978
Self
Life Is a Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie Robertson

Self