Elvis Costello, born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter known for his innovative songwriting and diverse musical styles.
His debut album, "My Aim Is True," is widely regarded as one of the best debut albums in rock history.
Costello was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003, recognizing his significant contributions to music.
Biography
Early Life
Elvis Costello, born Declan Patrick MacManus on August 25, 1954, in Paddington, London, is the only child of a record shop worker and a jazz musician. His father, Ross MacManus, was a professional trumpet player, while his mother, Lillian, worked in music retail and had a deep appreciation for various music genres. Growing up in a musical household, Costello was influenced by his parents' backgrounds, which shaped his artistic inclinations from an early age.
Career
Costello began his musical journey at the age of 14, teaching himself to play guitar and writing songs. He performed in folk clubs, honing his craft before joining the folk rock band Rusty in 1972. His debut album, "My Aim Is True," released in 1977, is often hailed as one of the best debut albums in rock history. Over the years, he has released numerous acclaimed albums, including "This Year’s Model," "King of America," and "Spike," showcasing his versatility across genres such as rock, new wave, and punk rock. Costello's songwriting has earned him significant accolades, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016.
Personal Life
Costello's personal life has been marked by relationships that have influenced his music. He married Mary Burgoyne in 1974, with whom he had a son, but they separated in 1978. He later had a long-term relationship with Cait O'Riordan, a member of the Pogues, before marrying jazz pianist Diana Krall in 2003. Costello's experiences in love and relationships have often served as inspiration for his songwriting, reflecting the emotional depth and complexity of his music.
Legacy
Considered one of the best songwriters of his generation, Costello's work has left a lasting impact on pop and rock music. His early albums helped define the new wave genre, and his innovative approach to songwriting has been praised by critics and fellow musicians alike. With a career spanning decades, Costello continues to be a significant figure in the music industry, celebrated for his lyrical prowess and artistic integrity.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
Hey Clockface2020
- 1.Revolution #492:41
- 2.No Flag3:57
- 3.They’re Not Laughing at Me Now4:26
- 4.Newspaper Pane4:10
- 5.I Do (Zula’s Song)3:49
- 6.We Are All Cowards Now3:36
- 7.Hey Clockface / How Can You Face Me?2:56
- 8.The Whirlwind3:18
- 9.Hetty O’Hara Confidential4:14
- 10.The Last Confession of Vivian Whip3:00
- 11.What Is It That I Need That I Don’t Already Have?3:47
- 12.Radio Is Everything4:26
- 13.I Can’t Say Her Name2:58
- 14.Byline2:40
Wise Up Ghost2013
- 1.Walk Us Uptown3:22
- 2.Sugar Won’t Work3:31
- 3.Refuse to Be Saved4:23
- 4.Wake Me Up5:52
- 5.Tripwire4:28
- 6.Stick Out Your Tongue5:28
- 7.Come the Meantimes3:53
- 8.(She Might Be a) Grenade4:36
- 9.Cinco minutos con vos5:01
- 10.Viceroy’s Row5:01
- 11.Wise Up Ghost6:27
- 12.If I Could Believe3:58
National Ransom2010
- 1.National Ransom4:07
- 2.Jimmie Standing in the Rain4:17
- 3.Stations of the Cross5:00
- 4.Slow Drag With Josephine2:45
- 5.Five Small Words4:47
- 6.Church Underground5:04
- 7.You Hung the Moon3:56
- 8.Bullets for the Newborn King3:37
- 9.I Lost You2:58
- 10.Dr Watson, I Presume3:42
- 11.One Bell Ringing3:39
- 12.The Spell That You Cast2:33
- 13.That's Not the Part of Him I'm Leaving4:45
- 14.My Lovely Jezebel2:33
- 15.All These Strangers5:53
Secret, Profane & Sugarcane2009
- 1.Down Among the Wines and Spirits3:11
- 2.Complicated Shadows2:53
- 3.I Felt the Chill Before the Winter Came3:59
- 4.My All Time Doll4:09
- 5.Hidden Shame4:15
- 6.She Handed Me a Mirror4:04
- 7.I Dreamed of My Old Lover2:35
- 8.How Deep Is the Red3:47
- 9.She Was No Good3:47
- 10.Sulphur to Sugarcane5:59
- 11.Red Cotton5:43
- 12.The Crooked Line3:49
- 13.Changing Partners2:40
The River in Reverse2006
- 1.On Your Way Down4:55
- 2.Nearer to You3:32
- 3.Tears, Tears and More Tears3:30
- 4.The Sharpest Thorn4:16
- 5.Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further?5:04
- 6.The River in Reverse4:32
- 7.Freedom for the Stallion2:58
- 8.Broken Promise Land4:34
- 9.Ascension Day2:58
- 10.International Echo4:59
- 11.All These Things4:07
- 12.Wonder Woman3:08
- 13.Six-Fingered Man4:31
Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz2005
- 1.Conversation2:47
- 2.At Last3:57
- 3.Conversation4:04
- 4.My Funny Valentine3:44
- 5.Conversation4:39
- 6.Almost Blue2:49
- 7.Conversation2:36
- 8.Very Thought of You3:50
- 9.Conversation2:38
- 10.Gloomy Sunday3:25
- 11.Conversation2:11
- 12.You Don’t Know What Love Is4:59
- 13.Conversation3:33
- 14.They Didn’t Believe Me3:54
- 15.Conversation1:47
- 16.I’m in the Mood Again2:42
- 17.Conversation0:05
North2003
- 1.You Left Me in the Dark3:26
- 2.Someone Took the Words Away4:35
- 3.When Did I Stop Dreaming5:23
- 4.You Turned to Me2:32
- 5.Fallen3:12
- 6.When It Sings3:58
- 7.Still2:28
- 8.Let Me Tell You About Her4:23
- 9.Can You Be True?3:46
- 10.When Green Eyes Turn Blue4:18
- 11.I’m in the Mood Again2:36
- 12.Impatience5:04
- 13.Too Blue2:50
- 14.North3:06
- 15.Still2:44
- 16.Fallen3:08
Il sogno2002
- 1.Il Sogno: Prelude0:49
- 2.Il Sogno: Overture1:19
- 3.Il Sogno: Puck 12:20
- 4.Il Sogno, Act I: The Court2:27
- 5.Il Sogno, Act I: The State of Affairs4:45
- 6.Il Sogno, Act I: Hermia and Lysander3:16
- 7.Il Sogno, Act I: The Jealousy of Helena0:55
- 8.Il Sogno, Act I: Workers' Playtime2:16
- 9.Il Sogno, Act II: Oberon and Titania4:14
- 10.Il Sogno, Act II: The Conspiracy of Oberon and Puck1:08
- 11.Il Sogno, Act II: Slumber1:25
- 12.Il Sogno, Act II: Puck 21:49
- 13.Il Sogno, Act II: The Identity Parade4:42
- 14.Il Sogno, Act II: The Face of Bottom2:50
- 15.Il Sogno, Act II: The Spark of Love4:22
- 16.Il Sogno, Act II: Tormentress1:41
- 17.Il Sogno, Act II: Oberon Humbeld3:41
- 18.Il Sogno, Act II: Twisted - Entangled - Transform and Exchange2:35
- 19.Il Sogno, Act II: The Fairy and the Ass1:36
- 20.Il Sogno, Act II: Sleep2:48
- 21.Il Sogno, Act II: Bottom Awakes1:44
- 22.Il Sogno, Act II: Lovers Arise3:18
- 23.Il Sogno, Act III: The Play1:31
- 24.Il Sogno, Act III: The Wedding4:22
When I Was Cruel2002
- 1.453:33
- 2.Spooky Girlfriend4:22
- 3.Tear Off Your Own Head (It’s a Doll Revolution)3:31
- 4.When I Was Cruel No. 27:06
- 5.Soul for Hire3:55
- 6.15 Petals4:01
- 7.Tart4:03
- 8.Dust 2…3:31
- 9.Dissolve2:22
- 10.Alibi6:42
- 11.…Dust3:03
- 12.Daddy Can I Turn This?3:41
- 13.My Little Blue Window3:10
- 14.Oh Well2:51
- 15.Episode of Blonde5:01
- 16.Radio Silence4:58
For the Stars2001
- 1.No Wonder3:37
- 2.Baby Plays Around3:13
- 3.Go Leave2:50
- 4.Rope3:57
- 5.Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)3:12
- 6.Broken Bicycles / Junk4:06
- 7.The Other Woman3:36
- 8.Like an Angel Passing Through My Room5:03
- 9.Green Song4:38
- 10.April After All2:52
- 11.You Still Believe in Me3:09
- 12.I Want to Vanish2:41
- 13.For No One2:00
- 14.Shamed Into Love3:47
- 15.Just a Curio4:18
- 16.This House Is Empty Now4:39
- 17.Take It With Me3:17
- 18.For the Stars2:46
The Sweetest Punch1999
- 1.The Sweetest Punch4:46
- 2.Toledo5:27
- 3.Such Unlikely Lovers5:45
- 4.This House Is Empty Now5:04
- 5.Painted From Memory4:11
- 6.What’s Her Name Today?4:58
- 7.In the Darkest Place5:56
- 8.Vamp Dolce3:27
- 9.My Thief4:31
- 10.I Still Have That Other Girl2:23
- 11.Painted From Memory (reprise)3:39
- 12.The Long Division4:00
- 13.Tears at the Birthday Party3:44
- 14.I Still Have That Other Girl (reprise)1:53
- 15.God Give Me Strength4:42
Painted From Memory1998
- 1.In the Darkest Place4:19
- 2.Toledo4:36
- 3.I Still Have That Other Girl2:48
- 4.This House Is Empty Now5:11
- 5.Tears at the Birthday Party4:39
- 6.Such Unlikely Lovers3:27
- 7.My Thief4:22
- 8.The Long Division4:15
- 9.Painted From Memory4:14
- 10.The Sweetest Punch4:12
- 11.What’s Her Name Today?4:11
- 12.God Give Me Strength6:11
Kojak Variety1995
Tracklist not collected yet.
Brutal Youth1994
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Juliet Letters1993
Tracklist not collected yet.
Mighty Like a Rose1991
Tracklist not collected yet.
Spike1989
Tracklist not collected yet.
Girls +£÷ Girls =$& Girls, Volume Two1989
Tracklist not collected yet.
Girls Girls Girls1989
Tracklist not collected yet.
Out of Our Idiot1987
Tracklist not collected yet.
King of America1986
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Man: The Best of Elvis Costello1985
Tracklist not collected yet.
Taking Liberties1980
Tracklist not collected yet.
This Year’s Model1978
Tracklist not collected yet.
My Aim Is True1977
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
© Matt Johnson from Omaha, Nebraska, United States · CC BY 2.0 
© Matt Johnson from Omaha, Nebraska, United States · CC BY 2.0 
© Matt Johnson from Omaha, Nebraska, United States · CC BY 2.0 
© Matt Johnson from Omaha, Nebraska, United States · CC BY 2.0 
© Matt Johnson from Omaha, Nebraska, United States · CC BY 2.0 
© Matt Johnson from Omaha, Nebraska, United States · CC BY 2.0
Label
- Record label
- Warner Bros. Records
- Record label
- 2 Tone Records
- Record label
- Columbia Records
- Record label
- Deutsche Grammophon
- Record label
- Stiff Records
Achievements
- Award
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Award
- Americana Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting
- Award
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Groups
- Clangwinstellolead vocalscurrent
- Elvis Costello & The Attractionseponymous, originalcurrent
- Elvis Costello & The Imposterseponymous, originalcurrent
- Flip Citylead vocalscurrent
- Rustycurrent
- The Coward Brotherscurrent
- The MacManus Gangcurrent
- The New Basement Tapescurrent
- The Sugarcaneslead vocalscurrent
Similar artists
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Declan Patrick Aloysius Mac-Manus, Declan Patrick MacManus, Eamonn Singer, Elvis Costell, Elvis Costello (The Costello Show), Elvis Costello and the Sugarcanes
Declan Patrick MacManus, known professionally as Elvis Costello, is an English singer, songwriter, record producer, author, and television host. According to Rolling Stone, Costello "reinvigorated the literate, lyrical traditions of Bob Dylan and Van Morrison with the raw energy and sass that were principal ethics of punk", noting the "construction of his songs, which set densely layered wordplay in an ever-expanding repertoire of styles". He is the recipient of numerous accolades, including two Grammy Awards and two Ivor Novello Awards, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 and into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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