Elvis Costello

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Elvis Costello Singer

Britain's Declan Patrick MacManus (aka Elvis Costello) started his music career on the London pub scene in the early 1970's.  Costello's father (Ross MacManus), a jazz musician and bandleader, was a major influence on Costello's interests.  Ross MacManus played under the stage name Day Costello, which is why Declan adopted the name D.P. Costello at first, later changing it to Elivs.  Early on, Elvis Costello played in bands with names like Rusty and Flip City.

After working odd jobs and writing music on the side, Elvis landed his first record contract with an independent label.  His debut album, My Aim Is True (1977), featured the hits "Less Than Zero" and "Watching the Detectives".  Other 70's UK Costello hits you may remember:  "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea", "Pump It Up", "Radio Radio", "Oliver's Army", and "Accidents Will Happen".  Some of you may also remember that Costello, a huge country music fan, had some collaboration with George Jones in the late 1970's.

In the 1980's, Costello had a new studio album for every year.  Those of you in the US will remember songs like "Everyday I Write the Book" from Punch the Clock (1983), "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" from King of America (1986), and "Veronica" from Spike (1989).  However, UK fans will remember many more hits than this, like "I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down", "High Fidelity", "New Amsterdam", "A Good Year for Roses", "Pills and Soap", and "I Wanna Be Loved/Turning the Town Red".

As the years rolled on, Costello continued releasing new material, with some chart success in the 1990's.  It is worth mentioning that his band is sometimes referred to as Elvis Costello and the Attractions.  At the time of this writing in 2013, he was still very active, even continuing his acting career from time to time.  The Elvis Costello Discography is as follows:

Listen for free or download any Elvis Costello track for just 12 cents per song!

  • 1977: My Aim Is True
  • 1978: This Year's Model
  • 1978: Live at the El Mocambo
  • 1979: Armed Forces
  • 1980: Get Happy!!
  • 1980: Taking Liberties
  • 1980: Ten Bloody Marys & Ten How's Your Fathers
  • 1981: Trust
  • 1982: Imperial Bedroom
  • 1983: Punch the Clock
  • 1984: Goodbye Cruel World
  • 1985: The Man - The Best Of Elvis Costello
  • 1985: The Best of Elvis Costello & The Attractions
  • 1986: King of America
  • 1986: Blood & Chocolate
  • 1987: Out of Our Idiot
  • 1989: Spike
  • 1989: Girls Girls Girls
  • 1990: The Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions
  • 1991: Mighty Like a Rose
  • 1991: G.B.H.
  • 1993: The Juliet Letters
  • 1993: 2½ Years
  • 1994: Brutal Youth
  • 1994: The Very Best of Elvis Costello and The Attractions
  • 1995: Kojak Variety
  • 1995: Jake's Progress
  • 1995: Deep Dead Blue Live
  • 1996: Costello & Nieve Live
  • 1996: All This Useless Beauty
  • 1997: Terror & Magnificence
  • 1997: Extreme Honey
  • 1998: Painted from Memory
  • 1998: The Sweetest Punch
  • 1999: The Very Best of Elvis Costello
  • 2001: For the Stars
  • 2002: When I Was Cruel
  • 2002: Cruel Smile
  • 2003: North
  • 2003: Singles, Volume 1
  • 2003: Singles, Volume 2
  • 2003: Singles, Volume 3
  • 2004: The Delivery Man
  • 2004: Il Sogno
  • 2005: Piano Jazz
  • 2006: My Flame Burns Blue Live
  • 2006: The River in Reverse
  • 2007: The Best of Elvis Costello: The First 10 Years
  • 2007: Rock and Roll Music
  • 2008: Momofuku
  • 2009: Secret, Profane & Sugarcane
  • 2010: National Ransom
  • 2010: Live at Hollywood High
  • 2012: The Return of the Spectacular Spinning Songbook