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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.

The Specials – A Message to You

The Specials – A Message to You

2024

as Self

Sounds of Liverpool at the BBC

Sounds of Liverpool at the BBC

2023

as Self (archive footage)

Roy Orbison Forever

Roy Orbison Forever

2022

as Self

Lindisfarne’s Geordie Genius: The Alan Hull Story

Lindisfarne’s Geordie Genius: The Alan Hull Story

2021

as Self

This Is Pop

This Is Pop

2021

as Self (archive footage)

Johnny Cash: The Man in Black in Britain

Johnny Cash: The Man in Black in Britain

2020

as Self

Ringo Starr’s Big Birthday Show

Ringo Starr’s Big Birthday Show

2020

as Self - Performer

Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration

Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration

2019

as Self

Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen

Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen

2018

as Self - Performer

Pete the Cat

Pete the Cat

2017

as Pete's Dad (voice)

Ex Libris: The New York Public Library

Ex Libris: The New York Public Library

2017

as Self

The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years

The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years

2016

as Self

Elvis Costello - Detour Live at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Elvis Costello - Detour Live at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

2015

as Self

Lost Songs: The Basement Tapes Continued

Lost Songs: The Basement Tapes Continued

2014

as Self

Elvis Costello: Mystery Dance

Elvis Costello: Mystery Dance

2013

as Self

Experience Montreux

Experience Montreux

2013

as Self

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

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

2012

as Self - Performer

A MusiCares Tribute to Neil Young

A MusiCares Tribute to Neil Young

2011

as Self

I Was There: When the Beatles Played the Cavern

I Was There: When the Beatles Played the Cavern

2011

as Self (archive footage)

Love Shines

Love Shines

2010

as Self

Hard Rock Calling 2010

Hard Rock Calling 2010

2010

as Self

Treme

Treme

2010

as Self

A Prairie Home Companion Live in HD!

A Prairie Home Companion Live in HD!

2010

as Self - Singer

Live From the Artists Den

Live From the Artists Den

2009

as Self

Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...

Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...

2008

as Self

A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!

A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!

2008

as Self

Memento Mori

Memento Mori

2008

as Self

If It Ain't Stiff: The Stiff Records Story

If It Ain't Stiff: The Stiff Records Story

2007

as Self

Delirious

Delirious

2007

as Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello: Live: A Case for Song

Elvis Costello: Live: A Case for Song

2007

as Self - Vocals, Guitar

Tony Bennett: Duets - The Making of an American Classic

Tony Bennett: Duets - The Making of an American Classic

2007

as Self

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

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

2007

as Self

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

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

2006

as Self

Legends

Legends

2006

as Self

The Harry Smith Project Live

The Harry Smith Project Live

2006

as Self

Before the Music Dies

Before the Music Dies

2006

as Self - Musician

30 Rock

30 Rock

2006

as Elvis Costello

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

2006

as Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello & Friends

Elvis Costello & Friends

2006

Putting the River in Reverse

Putting the River in Reverse

2006

as Self

Grand Ole Opry Live

Grand Ole Opry Live

2006

as Self

The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder: Punk & New Wave

The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder: Punk & New Wave

2006

as Self

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

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

2006

as Self

The Pretenders: No Turn Left Unstoned

The Pretenders: No Turn Left Unstoned

2005

as Self

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

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

2005

as Self - Performer

Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today

Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today

2005

as Self

Elvis Costello & The Imposters: Glastonbury Festival 2005

Elvis Costello & The Imposters: Glastonbury Festival 2005

2005

as Self

Live Aid

Live Aid

2004

as Self

Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile

Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile

2004

as Self

De-Lovely

De-Lovely

2004

as Musical Performer - "Let's Misbehave"

Johnny Cash: The Last Great American

Johnny Cash: The Last Great American

2004

as Self

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

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

2004

as Self

Emmylou Harris: From a Deeper Well

Emmylou Harris: From a Deeper Well

2003

as Self

I Love Your Work

I Love Your Work

2003

as Self

Two and a Half Men

Two and a Half Men

2003

as Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello: North

Elvis Costello: North

2003

as Self

Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin'

Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin'

2003

as Self

Freedom Beat

Freedom Beat

2003

as Self

There's Only One Paul McCartney

There's Only One Paul McCartney

2002

as Self

CMT Crossroads

CMT Crossroads

2002

as Self

A Tribute To Burt Bacharach & Hal David

A Tribute To Burt Bacharach & Hal David

2001

as Self

Prison Song

Prison Song

2001

as Public Defender / Teacher

Unleaded

Unleaded

2000

as Elvis Costello

In Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story

In Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story

1999

as Self

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

1999

as Elvis Costello

Here, There and Everywhere: A Concert for Linda

Here, There and Everywhere: A Concert for Linda

1999

as Self

200 Cigarettes

200 Cigarettes

1999

as Self

Classic Albums: U2 - The Joshua Tree

Classic Albums: U2 - The Joshua Tree

1999

as Self

Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach: Sessions at West 54th

Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach: Sessions at West 54th

1998

as Self

Brian Wilson’s Imagination

Brian Wilson’s Imagination

1998

as Self

Burt Bacharach: One Amazing Night

Burt Bacharach: One Amazing Night

1998

as Self

Spice World

Spice World

1997

as Elvis Costello

Classic Albums

Classic Albums

1997

as Self

Tony Bennett's New York

Tony Bennett's New York

1996

as Self

3rd Rock from the Sun

3rd Rock from the Sun

1996

as Elvis Costello

Die Harald Schmidt Show

Die Harald Schmidt Show

1995

as Self

Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged

Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged

1994

as Self

Dusty

Dusty

1994

as Self - Interviewee

Philip K Dick: A Day in the Afterlife

Philip K Dick: A Day in the Afterlife

1994

as Self - Interviewee

September Songs: The Music of Kurt Weill

September Songs: The Music of Kurt Weill

1994

as Self

Frasier

Frasier

1993

as Ben

Weird Nightmare

Weird Nightmare

1993

as Self

The Larry Sanders Show

The Larry Sanders Show

1992

as Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello and the Brodsky Quartet - The Juliet Letters

Elvis Costello and the Brodsky Quartet - The Juliet Letters

1991

as Self

The Simpsons

The Simpsons

1989

as Elvis Costello (voice)

MTV Unplugged

MTV Unplugged

1989

as Self

Paul McCartney: Put It There

Paul McCartney: Put It There

1989

as Self

Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night

Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night

1988

as Self - Guitar/Electric Organ/Harmonica

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

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

1987

as Self - Performer

Straight to Hell

Straight to Hell

1987

as Hives The Butler

Chet Baker Live at Ronnie Scott's

Chet Baker Live at Ronnie Scott's

1986

as Self

No Surrender

No Surrender

1985

as Rosco De Ville

Live Aid

Live Aid

1985

as Self

The Bullshitters: Roll Out the Gunbarrel

The Bullshitters: Roll Out the Gunbarrel

1984

as Stone Deaf A & R Man

Scully

Scully

1984

as Henry Scully

The Comic Strip Presents...

The Comic Strip Presents...

1982

as Stone Deaf A & R Man

George Jones: With a Little Help from His Friends

George Jones: With a Little Help from His Friends

1981

as Self

Concerts for the People of Kampuchea

Concerts for the People of Kampuchea

1981

as Self

Elvis Costello & The Attractions Live in Montreaux

Elvis Costello & The Attractions Live in Montreaux

1980

as Self - Performer

Americathon

Americathon

1979

as The Earl of Manchester

The Kenny Everett Video Show

The Kenny Everett Video Show

1978

as Self

Elvis Costello and The Attractions: Live on Rockpalast

Elvis Costello and The Attractions: Live on Rockpalast

1978

as Self

Elvis Costello and The Attractions: Live at The Capitol Theatre

Elvis Costello and The Attractions: Live at The Capitol Theatre

1978

as Self

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

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

1978

as Self

Austin City Limits

Austin City Limits

1975

as Self

The Oscars

The Oscars

1953

as Self

Life Is a Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie Robertson

Life Is a Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie Robertson

as Self