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.
Acted in
The Specials – A Message to You
2024
as Self
Sounds of Liverpool at the BBC
2023
as Self (archive footage)
Roy Orbison Forever
2022
as Self
Lindisfarne’s Geordie Genius: The Alan Hull Story
2021
as Self
This Is Pop
2021
as Self (archive footage)
Johnny Cash: The Man in Black in Britain
2020
as Self
Ringo Starr’s Big Birthday Show
2020
as Self - Performer
Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration
2019
as Self
Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen
2018
as Self - Performer
Pete the Cat
2017
as Pete's Dad (voice)
Ex Libris: The New York Public Library
2017
as Self
The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years
2016
as Self
Elvis Costello - Detour Live at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
2015
as Self
Lost Songs: The Basement Tapes Continued
2014
as Self
Elvis Costello: Mystery Dance
2013
as Self
Experience Montreux
2013
as Self
Elvis Costello & The Imposters: The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook
2012
as Self - Performer
A MusiCares Tribute to Neil Young
2011
as Self
I Was There: When the Beatles Played the Cavern
2011
as Self (archive footage)
Love Shines
2010
as Self
Hard Rock Calling 2010
2010
as Self
Treme
2010
as Self
A Prairie Home Companion Live in HD!
2010
as Self - Singer
Live From the Artists Den
2009
as Self
Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...
2008
as Self
A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
2008
as Self
Memento Mori
2008
as Self
If It Ain't Stiff: The Stiff Records Story
2007
as Self
Delirious
2007
as Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello: Live: A Case for Song
2007
as Self - Vocals, Guitar
Tony Bennett: Duets - The Making of an American Classic
2007
as Self
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
2006
as Self
Legends
2006
as Self
The Harry Smith Project Live
2006
as Self
Before the Music Dies
2006
as Self - Musician
30 Rock
2006
as Elvis Costello
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
2006
as Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello & Friends
2006
Putting the River in Reverse
2006
as Self
Grand Ole Opry Live
2006
as Self
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
2006
as Self
The Pretenders: No Turn Left Unstoned
2005
as Self
Elvis Costello: The Right Spectacle - The Very Best of Elvis Costello
2005
as Self - Performer
Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today
2005
as Self
Elvis Costello & The Imposters: Glastonbury Festival 2005
2005
as Self
Live Aid
2004
as Self
Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile
2004
as Self
De-Lovely
2004
as Musical Performer - "Let's Misbehave"
Johnny Cash: The Last Great American
2004
as Self
Elvis Costello & The Imposters: Club Date - Live in Memphis
2004
as Self
Emmylou Harris: From a Deeper Well
2003
as Self
I Love Your Work
2003
as Self
Two and a Half Men
2003
as Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello: North
2003
as Self
Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin'
2003
as Self
Freedom Beat
2003
as Self
There's Only One Paul McCartney
2002
as Self
CMT Crossroads
2002
as Self
A Tribute To Burt Bacharach & Hal David
2001
as Self
Prison Song
2001
as Public Defender / Teacher
Unleaded
2000
as Elvis Costello
In Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story
1999
as Self
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
1999
as Elvis Costello
Here, There and Everywhere: A Concert for Linda
1999
as Self
200 Cigarettes
1999
as Self
Classic Albums: U2 - The Joshua Tree
1999
as Self
Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach: Sessions at West 54th
1998
as Self
Brian Wilson’s Imagination
1998
as Self
Burt Bacharach: One Amazing Night
1998
as Self
Spice World
1997
as Elvis Costello
Classic Albums
1997
as Self
Tony Bennett's New York
1996
as Self
3rd Rock from the Sun
1996
as Elvis Costello
Die Harald Schmidt Show
1995
as Self
Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged
1994
as Self
Dusty
1994
as Self - Interviewee
Philip K Dick: A Day in the Afterlife
1994
as Self - Interviewee
September Songs: The Music of Kurt Weill
1994
as Self
Frasier
1993
as Ben
Weird Nightmare
1993
as Self
The Larry Sanders Show
1992
as Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello and the Brodsky Quartet - The Juliet Letters
1991
as Self
The Simpsons
1989
as Elvis Costello (voice)
MTV Unplugged
1989
as Self
Paul McCartney: Put It There
1989
as Self
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
1987
as Self - Performer
Straight to Hell
1987
as Hives The Butler
Chet Baker Live at Ronnie Scott's
1986
as Self
No Surrender
1985
as Rosco De Ville
Live Aid
1985
as Self
The Bullshitters: Roll Out the Gunbarrel
1984
as Stone Deaf A & R Man
Scully
1984
as Henry Scully
The Comic Strip Presents...
1982
as Stone Deaf A & R Man
George Jones: With a Little Help from His Friends
1981
as Self
Concerts for the People of Kampuchea
1981
as Self
Elvis Costello & The Attractions Live in Montreaux
1980
as Self - Performer
Americathon
1979
as The Earl of Manchester
The Kenny Everett Video Show
1978
as Self
Elvis Costello and The Attractions: Live on Rockpalast
1978
as Self
Elvis Costello and The Attractions: Live at The Capitol Theatre
1978
as Self
If It Ain't Stiff, It Ain't Worth a Fuck
1978
as Self
Austin City Limits
1975
as Self
The Oscars
1953
as Self
Life Is a Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie Robertson
as Self