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.
Acted in 28
2020s
- 2025
Elvis Costello & WDR Big Band @ Leverkusener Jazztage 2025
Movie
2000s
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005
Johnny Vegas: 18 Stone of Idiot - Unseen and Uncut
Guest
- 2004
- 2003
- 2001
- 2000
1990s
- 1999
- 1997
- 1996
- 1993
- 1992
1980s
- 1989
Elvis Costello & Friends Live at Sweetwater
Movie
- 1987
Straight to Hell
Hives The Butler
- 1985
No Surrender
Rosco De Ville
- 1984
The Bullshitters: Roll Out the Gunbarrel
Stone Deaf A & R Man
Scully
Henry Scully · 7 episodes
- 1982
1970s
- 1979
Americathon
The Earl of Manchester
- 1978
No release date
Elvis Costello & the Attractions live in Boston & Detroit 1978
Movie
Sound 8
2000s
- 2003
The Shape of Things
Original Music Composer
- 2002
One Million Stars Falling from the Sky
Theme Song Performance
- 2000
1990s
- 1996
Grace of My Heart
Songs
- 1991
G.B.H.
Music
1980s
- 1986
No release date
Little Red Robin Hood
Music
Produced 1
2000s
- 2008
Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...
Executive Producer
Appearances106
2020s
- 2026
McCartney: The Hunt for the Lost Bass
Self
- 2025
Words + Music
Self · 1 episode
- 2024
Record On: The Specials - A Message to You
Self
- 2023
Sounds of Liverpool at the BBC
Self (archive footage)
- 2022
Roy Orbison Forever
Self
- 2021
Lindisfarne's Geordie Genius: The Alan Hull Story
Self
- 2020
Johnny Cash: The Man in Black in Britain
Self
Ringo Starr’s Big Birthday Show
Self - Performer
2010s
- 2019
- 2018
Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen
Self - Performer
- 2017
Ex Libris: The New York Public Library
Self
Roy Orbison: Black and White Night 30
Self
- 2016
- 2015
Elvis Costello - Detour Live at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Self
- 2014
Lost Songs: The Basement Tapes Continued
Self
- 2013
Elvis Costello: Mystery Dance
Self
Experience Montreux
Self
- 2012
Elvis Costello & The Imposters: The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook
Self - Performer
- 2011
A MusiCares Tribute to Neil Young
Self
I Was There: When the Beatles Played the Cavern
Self (archive footage)
- 2010
Love Shines
Self
A Prairie Home Companion Live in HD!
Self - Singer
2000s
- 2009
Live From Bonnaroo 2009
Self
Live from the Artists Den
Self · 1 episode
- 2008
Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...
Self · 20 episodes
A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
Self
Memento Mori
Self
- 2007
If It Ain't Stiff: The Stiff Records Story
Self
Elvis Costello: Live: A Case for Song
Self - Vocals, Guitar
Tony Bennett: Duets - The Making of an American Classic
Self
The Old, Weird America: Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music
Self
- 2006
Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint: Hot as a Pistol, Keen as a Blade
Self
The Harry Smith Project Live
Self
Before the Music Dies
Self - Musician
Elvis Costello & Friends
Self (archive footage)
Putting the River in Reverse
Self
Grand Ole Opry Live
Self
The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder: Punk & New Wave
Self
From the Big Apple to the Big Easy: The Concert for New Orleans
Self
- 2005
Elvis Costello: The Right Spectacle - The Very Best of Elvis Costello
Self - Performer
Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today
Self
Off The Beaten Path: A Road Trip With Elvis & Pete
Self
- 2004
Live Aid
Self
Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile
Self
Johnny Cash: The Last Great American
Self
Elvis Costello & The Imposters: Club Date - Live in Memphis
Self
- 2003
Emmylou Harris: From a Deeper Well
Self
Elvis Costello: North
Self
Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin'
Self
Freedom Beat
Self
- 2002
There's Only One Paul McCartney
Self
- 2001
A Tribute To Burt Bacharach & Hal David
Self
1990s
- 1999
Behind the Scenes of 'Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me'
Self
In Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story
Self
Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special
Self
Here, There and Everywhere: A Concert for Linda
Self
Classic Albums: U2 - The Joshua Tree
Self
- 1998
Brian Wilson’s Imagination
Self
Burt Bacharach: One Amazing Night
Self
- 1997
- 1996
Tony Bennett's New York
Self
- 1995
- 1994
Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged
Self
Dusty
Self - Interviewee
Philip K Dick: A Day in the Afterlife
Self - Interviewee
September Songs: The Music of Kurt Weill
Self
- 1993
Weird Nightmare
Self
- 1992
- 1991
Elvis Costello and the Brodsky Quartet - The Juliet Letters
Self
- 1990
1980s
- 1989
Paul McCartney: Put It There
Self
- 1988
Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night
Self - Guitar/Electric Organ/Harmonica
- 1987
Red Shoes In the Land of the Midnight Sun: Elvis Costello & The Confederates Live in Tokyo
Self - Performer
- 1986
Chet Baker Live at Ronnie Scott's
Self
- 1985
Live Aid
Self
- 1982
- 1981
George Jones: With a Little Help from His Friends
Self
Concerts for the People of Kampuchea
Self
- 1980
Elvis Costello & The Attractions Live in Montreaux
Self - Performer
1970s
- 1978
The Kenny Everett Video Show
Self · 1 episode
Elvis Costello and The Attractions: Live at The Capitol Theatre
Self
If It Ain't Stiff, It Ain't Worth a Fuck
Self
- 1975
1950s
- 1953
No release date
Life Is a Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie Robertson
Self
Little Red Robin Hood
Self