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Fun Music Information -> Elvis Costello

Album cover parody of My Aim Is True (With Bonus Disc) by Elvis Costello
Parody album cover
click to see the original

This is the most recent information about Elvis Costello that has been submitted to amIright. If we have more information about Elvis Costello, then we provide a link to the section where it appears (the actual page whenever possible).

Our newest site, amIwrong has an albums order quiz where you need to put this performer's albums in order of release.
 
 

Possible Misspelled Names:

These are the alternate spellings of the performer's name we've had to correct in submissions to amIright.

Elvis Costello & the Attractions, Elvis Costello/Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello and The Attractions

Quotes:

"There's no money back guarantee on future happiness." - Elvis Costello
Submitted by: Alex Aerni
"Good manners and bad breath get you nowhere." - Elvis Costello
Submitted by: Alex Aerni
There are additional music quotes available.

Jokes:

"ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING!!!" (Oops; Wrong "Elvis"; Sorry.)
Submitted by: Jeff Williams
Q: What time is it when you discover that Donald Trump is eligible to be President of the United States but Elvis Costello isn’t? A: Time to change the Constitution!
Submitted by: Elsie (formerly Alex) Aerni
There are additional music jokes available.

Band Name Origins:

  • Originally Declan MacManus, he chose the stage name by combining Elvis Presley with his mother's maiden name. Submitted by: Eschewy
  • His real name is Declan McManus, from a long line of Irish musicians. The other description about using Elvis Presley's name and his Grandmother's maiden name are correct. The current incarnation of the Attractions have been titled The Imposters. Submitted by: Feldes

Music Performer Pseudonyms:

Also known as: Declan Patrick McManus. Submitted by: geojones

Also known as: Declan Patrick MacManus. Submitted by: Colin

Weird Names of Music Performer's Children:

  • Matthew, Dexter, and Frank - I know that none of these three names are weird or unusual at all, in any way. In fact, they are all extremely normal, common names that I'm sure you all hear practically every day. But Elvis Costello is my favorite musical artist of all time, which is why I love posting about him here at AmIRight. He has twin sons, Dexter and Frank, who are currently eight years old, born in 2006, with his current wife who is none other than the great jazz singer and pianist Diana Krall. He also has a much older son named Matthew from his first marriage to Mary Burgoyne. After his marriage to Mary ended in the mid-1980s and before he married Diana in 2003, Elvis was married to Cait O'Riordan, who had been the bassist for The Pogues, and they were married from 1986 until they split in 2002, but Elvis and Cait did not have any children together. Submitted by: Alex Aerni

New Song Names:

Original Song Name
New Song Name
Submitter Name
"Splattered Old Bird""Battered Old Bird"Rhoda Dohr
"Spattered Old Bird""Battered Old Bird"Rhoda Dohr
"Flattered Old Bird""Battered Old Bird"Tess O. Gosset
"Shattered Old Bird""Battered Old Bird"Tess O. Gosset

Literally Impossible Song Titles:

Song/Performer
Comment
Submitter Name
"Everyday I Write The Book,"He writes the same book every day?Peter
"The World And His Wife,"The world is not human, male, or married.Alex Aerni

Use a Song Title to Answer a Different Song:

Song & Band Name
Song & Band Name
"Ronnie," The Four Seasons"Veronica," Elvis Costello
"We Close Our Eyes," Go West"Accidents Will Happen," Elvis Costello
"Who Can It Be Now?," Men At Work"Veronica," Elvis Costello
"Pop Singer," John Mellencamp"Veronica," Elvis Costello
There are additional songs titles that answer other songs available.

Remove a Letter From a Song Title:

"Pardon Me Adam, My Name Is Eve" originally "Pardon Me Madam, My Name Is Eve"
Makes sense, as in Adam and Eve.
Elsie (formerly Alex) Aerni
"Last Boa Leaving" originally "Last Boat Leaving"
As in boa constrictor.
Elsie (formerly Alex) Aerni
"Last Bat Leaving" originally "Last Boat Leaving"
Elsie (formerly Alex) Aerni
"Last Oat Leaving" originally "Last Boat Leaving"
Elsie (formerly Alex) Aerni
"Seep Of The Just" originally "Sleep Of The Just"
Peter

There are additional song titles with a letter removed available.

Add a Letter to a Song Title:

"Last Boat Cleaving" originally "Last Boat Leaving"
Elsie (formerly Alex) Aerni
"Last Boast Leaving" originally "Last Boat Leaving"
Elsie (formerly Alex) Aerni
"Last Borat Leaving" originally "Last Boat Leaving"
As in Sacha Baron Cohen's character.
Elsie (formerly Alex) Aerni
"Last Bloat Leaving" originally "Last Boat Leaving"
Elsie (formerly Alex) Aerni
"Least Boat Leaving" originally "Last Boat Leaving"
Elsie (formerly Alex) Aerni

There are additional song titles with a letter added available.

Change a Letter:

"Pardon Me Madam, My Name Is Eva" originally "Pardon Me Madam, My Name Is Eve"
A similar name
Elsie (formerly Alex) Aerni
"Last Bost Leaving" originally "Last Boat Leaving"
Bost can be a surname
Jessica Childress
"Last Boat Leasing" originally "Last Boat Leaving"
Elsie (formerly Alex) Aerni
"Last Boat Leaping" originally "Last Boat Leaving"
Elsie (formerly Alex) Aerni
"Last Boat Leaning" originally "Last Boat Leaving"
Elsie (formerly Alex) Aerni

There are additional song titles with a letter changed available.

Song Parody Lyrics:

Original Song Name
Parody Song Name
Parody Author
"Farewell, OK""Triple Feature"Duc4AmIRight
"We Are All Cowards Now""We Are All Friends Now"Duc4AmIRight
"Sulky Girl""She-Hulk, Strong Girl"the_conqueror_of_parodies
"Oliver's Army""Cameron's Army"Jim Berry
"Oliver's Army""Oliver's Restaurants"Kankurette
"Veronica""Harmonica"Warren Baker
"Alison""Anderson"John A. Barry
"Pump It Up""Suck It Up"Warren Baker
"Waiting for the End of the World""Hiding in the Tree Like a Squirrel"metaphorsbwithu
"Less Than Zero""Dress Like Zorro"metaphorsbwithu

There are additional song parodies available.

Songs for Commercials, That Haven't Been Done Yet:

Song Name
Product
Submittor
Sour Milk Cow BluesVegan advocacy groupFiona Pear
Battered Old BirdKentucky Fried ChickenAlex Aerni
Harpies BizarreLoose Women promopickle
Almost BlueSmurfs cartoon showVic George
Pump It UpBicycle PumpsIndra.v
There are additional commercials that haven't been done yet available.

Bad Choices for On Hold Music:

Song Name
Company/Organization
Submittor
Accidents Will HappenAnything potty-training relatedbrainstem
Radio RadioSinclair or Infinity BroadcastingTim Hall
It's Been A Good Year For The RosesClassic Rock Magazinepickle*
Accidents Will HappenNASCARnewave
Accidents Will HappenService King Collision RepairBig Mark
There are additional on hold music ideas available.

Songs for Duets, That Haven't Been Done Yet:

First Band/Song Name
Second Band/Song Name
New Song Name
Submittor
Who Wrote The Book Of Love
   The Monotones
Everyday I Write The Book
   Elvis Costello
Everyday I Write The Book Of Love
Tarzan
Valerie
   Steve Winwood
Veronica
   Elvis Costello
Valerie And Veronica
Edward
Fell In Love With A Girl
   White Stripes
Veronica
   Elvis Costello
Veronica Fell In Love With A Girl
I knew there was something suspecious about her!
B.C.
Love Hurts
   Nazareth
Twenty-Five Fingers
   Elvis Costello
Love Hurts With Twenty-Five Fingers
Ladies..... I feel your pain.
Hed Automatican
There are additional duets that haven't been done yet available.

If Groups Combined, Their Names Might Be:

Elvis Costello Ate My Baby
Elvis Ate My Baby combined with Elvis Costello
Submitted By: JeReMy
Abbott & Costello
Gregory Abbott combined with Elvis Costello
Not exactly the same people, sadly...but those are the two performers' respective last names.
Submitted By: John
Abba and Costello
Abba combined with Elvis Costello
Okay, I stole this idea, but it had to be on the list.
Submitted By: Rick Duncan

Misheard Lyrics:

"Oliver's Army"
Misheard Lyrics:
I was only heard to state.
Original Lyrics:
Oliver's Army is here to stay.
"Veronica"
Misheard Lyrics:
And they call her gay
Original Lyrics:
And they call her a name
"Oliver's Army"
Misheard Lyrics:
There was a Czech born Charlie
He didn't crack a smile
Original Lyrics:
There was a Checkpoint Charlie
He didn't crack a smile
"Veronica"
Misheard Lyrics:
And her name is Bionicle
Original Lyrics:
And her name is Veronica
There are additional misheard lyrics available.

Misheard Lyrics Stories:

"Oliver's Army"
Misheard Lyrics:
I was only heard to state.
Original Lyrics:
Oliver's Army is here to stay.

Story about this misheard lyric by: Herman Pumpernickel

I never had any idea what this song was about until a couple of months ago - in 2024, when my wife mentioned it had something to do with the English Civil War. (It doesn't have much to do with the English Civil war besides the mention of Oliver Cromwell.)

There are additional misheard stories available.

Song Parody Fragments:

"What's so funny about Peace Love and Understanding"
Better Lyrics:
What's so funny 'bout Eli and Petyon Manning
Original Lyrics:
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding
Submitted by: Tom

Funniest Song Lyrics:

"Brilliant Mistake"
The Funny Lyrics:
She said that she was working for the ABC News
It was as much of the alphabet as she knew how to use
Why They're Funny:
Elvis recorded this in the 80s--if he thought they hired ditzy newscasters back then, I wonder what he thinks of the current crop of lip-glossed loons...
Submitted by: Doug
"Radio, Radio"
The Funny Lyrics:
You better do as you are told.
Why They're Funny:
If he had followed this advice, he never would have played this song on SNL in '77.
Submitted by: Brian Kelly

Nonsensical Song Lyrics:

"Watching The Detectives"
The Nonsensical Lyrics:
Red dogs under illegal legs
Why They're Nonsensical:
What in the world is this line supposed to mean??!?
Submitted by: ParaGlock
"She"
The Nonsensical Lyrics:
She may not be what she may seem inside her shell.
Why They're Nonsensical:
What is she, a turtle?
Submitted by: Rpollck

Insulting Song Lyrics:

"How To Be Dumb"
The Insulting Lyrics:
And beautiful people stampede to the doorway
Of the funniest f***er in the world
Why They're Insulting:
Elvis wrote this song as an insult to his bassist in his backing band The Attractions, Bruce Thomas, who, from what I've read, had written a book in which he dissed Elvis by calling him fat and smelly.
Submitted by: Alex Aerni
 

Dirty Song Lyrics:

"Welcome To The Working Week"
The Dirty Lyrics:
Now that your picture’s in the paper being rhythmically admired
Why They're Dirty:
Even the first line of the first song from EC’s first LP is dirty! Clearly, Elvis is pointing out that multiple men are probably masturbating to a picture of a woman he knows that was featured in a “newspaper,” or some other even seedier publication.
Submitted by: Robert Disner
"Mystery Dance"
The Dirty Lyrics:
I can't do it anymore and I'm not satisfied. I can't do it anymore and I'm not satisfied. Well I remember when the lights went out and I was tryin' to make it look like it was never in doubt. She thought that I knew, and I thought that she knew, so both of us were willing, but we didn't know how to do it.
Why They're Dirty:
The entire song is about a frustrating first sexual experience. "Mystery" is obviously a reference to the young man's not knowing anything about sex.
Submitted by: Jonathan M
There are additional dirty lyrics available.

Song Lyrics That Name Check Celebrities:

"Jack of All Parades"
The Lyrics:
Once I knew a girl that looked so much like Judy Garland
Who They Mention:
Judy Garland
Submitted by: Adrian Smith
"Oliver's Army"
The Lyrics:
Though it could be arranged
With just a word in Mr. Churchill's ear
Who They Mention:
Winston Churchill
Submitted by: Paul
There are additional celebrity lyrics available.

Song Lyrics That Mention Other Songs:

"The Other Side Of Summer"
The Song Lyrics:
Was it a millionaire who said "imagine no possessions"?
Song They Mention:
A direct/lyrical reference to "Imagine" by John Lennon
Submitted by: Tarzan
"This Is Hell"
The Song Lyrics:
"My Favourite Things" are playing again and again
But it's by Julie Andrews and not by John Coltrane
Song They Mention:
"My Favorite Things," originally sung by Julie Andrews in The Sound Of Music, later made into a jazz recording by John Coltrane.
Submitted by: Elsie (formerly Alex) Aerni
There are additional Song Lyrics That Mention Other Songs lyrics available.

Songs That Open With Their Titles:

"Party Girl"
Opening Lines:
They say you're nothing but a party girl
Comments:
Submitted by: Elsie (formerly Alex) Aerni
"Almost Blue"
Opening Lines:
Almost blue, almost doing things we used to do
Comments:
Submitted by: Elsie (formerly Alex) Aerni
There are additional spelling lyrics available.

Song Title Space Change:

"No Act Ion" originally "No Action"
Submitted by: Yvette Bristle
"Lips Tick Vogue" originally "Lipstick Vogue"
Submitted by: Yvette Bristle
"Butt On My Lip" originally "Button My Lip"
Submitted by: Yvette Bristle
"Al Is On" originally "Alison"
Submitted by: George Straitjacket
"Ali's On" originally "Alison"
Submitted by: U. Carrie Oats

Band Name Anagrams:

Lose Colt's Veil Submitted by: Pete Worst
As if colts ever had such an accessory
Lose Colt Veils Submitted by: Pete Worst
Toss Vile Cello Submitted by: Daisy Pappus
From a horror movie about a demon-possessed cello?
Ill Elves Scoot Submitted by: Bob Oldhart
Sell Solo Civet Submitted by: Bob Oldhart
Civet: a nocturnal mammal native to Africa & Asia.

There are additional Band Name Anagrams available.

Song Title Anagrams:

"Lynda Wears Her New Shoes At Amgen" originally "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes"
Amgen=Applied Molecular Genetics (pharmaceutical)
Submitted by: Alina
"Vain Core" originally "Veronica"
Submitted by: Paula Bland
"I Con Vera" originally "Veronica"
Submitted by: Paula Bland
"Icon Vera" originally "Veronica"
Submitted by: Paula Bland
"Over Cain" originally "Veronica"
Submitted by: Anna Graham

There are additional Song Title Anagrams available.

Real Places Mentioned in Songs:

"Oliver's Army"
The Lyrics:
Hong Kong is up for grabs
London is full of arabs
We could be in palestine
Overrun by a chinese line
With the boys from the mersey and the thames and the tyne
.......
.......
If you're out of luck you're out of work
We could send you to johannesburg
Why:
Hong Kong London Palestine Mersey, Thames, Tyne Johannesburg
Submitted by: Paul
 

Songs That Are Banned:

"Oliver's Army"
Banned by the BBC during the Gulf War
Submitted by: Evan

Super Short Pop Songs:

"No Action" Length: 1:58
Submitted by: Evan
"Welcome To the Working Week" Length: 1:22
The leadoff track to his debut album, My Aim Is True.
Submitted by: Todd W. Zimmerman

Song Title Spoonerisms:

"Got With His Own Shun" originally "Shot With His Own Gun"
Submitted by: Ned MacCamden
"Every Day I Bite the Rook" originally "Every Day I Write the Book"
Submitted by: Samantha Wayland
"Bum And Drone" originally "Drum And Bone"
Submitted by: Alex Aerni
"Hole For Sire" originally "Soul For Hire"
Submitted by: Alex Aerni
"Hole For Sire" originally "Soul For Hire"
Submitted by: Alex Aerni

What A Band is Best Known For (aside from their music):

"Nearly Scotching His Career"
In March 1979 Elvis Costello was in a Holiday Inn bar in Columbus, Ohio and he was slushed big time and in an argument with Stephen Stills and Bonnie Bramlett. he referred to Ray Charles a “blind, ignorant n***er” and James Brown a “jive-ass n***er.” This got printed and his reputation was in danger. He apologized and made a lame excuse of "trying to get out of a stupid conversation". He then participated in the charity event “Rock Against Racism”, which he had done before and since. Ray Charles expressed forgiveness by saying that "drunken talk shouldn't be printed".
Submitted by: American Attraction
"Being banned from SNL"
Elvis Costello & the Attractions were banned from Saturday Night Live for 20 years for performing "Radio Radio" instead of "Less Than Zero" in a 1977 episode.
Submitted by: dxman

Movies Named After Song Titles:

"Less Than Zero"
1987 drana with Robert Downey, Jr. and Andrew McCarthy
Submitted by: Brian Kelly

Other Artists:

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