Elvis Costello is a renowned Liverpudlian singer-songwriter, famous for a string of global smash hits that dominated the airwaves. Primarily working within the pop genre, his popularity peaked in the late 1970s and 80s. So, what was his impact on the music scenes in Liverpool and the wider UK? Let’s find out with the help of liverpoolski.com.
Early Life and Career Milestones
Born Declan Patrick MacManus in London in 1954, Costello was christened in Birkenhead, Merseyside. He had many relatives in and around Liverpool and would often visit during school holidays. In 1971, he made the move back to the banks of the Mersey, where he attended college, formed his first band, and played his early gigs – initially in Birkenhead and then in Liverpool itself.
Declan’s passion for music was ignited by his father, Ross, a musician who played in a rock band. His dad encouraged him to pursue music, but his constant touring and questionable lifestyle eventually took their toll. When Declan was 16, his mother had enough of the endless tours and boozy parties, and she divorced his father.
Despite the family turmoil, Declan inherited his father’s creative flair and threw himself into music, performing regularly in clubs. At 20, he formed the band Flip City, having previously been in a folk duo called Rusty. It was his band’s manager who suggested he change his name. Declan took “Elvis” from the rock and roll genius Presley and “Costello” from his mother’s maiden name. Thus, Elvis Costello was born.
Rise to Fame
Elvis Costello burst onto the mainstream scene in 1977 with the single “Less Than Zero.” His debut album, “My Aim Is True,” quickly followed. While not a massive commercial success, it was praised by rock critics for its clever lyrics and original arrangements. The Liverpudlian singer was hailed as one of the first ‘poets of punk,’ despite his music not being punk in the traditional sense. He instead embodied the original punk spirit of the ‘angry young man.’
Costello wanted his music to have more energy, so he swiftly put together a permanent backing band, naming them The Attractions. With them, he achieved his goal. The single “Watching The Detectives” became his first major UK hit.
In December 1978, Costello and The Attractions released their second album, “This Year’s Model.” This was followed in 1979 by one of his finest albums, “Armed Forces,” which featured the phenomenal hit “Oliver’s Army,” a track that climbed to number two in the UK charts.
Another successful album, “Get Happy!”, was released in the early 1980s. It achieved gold status in both the UK and the US and included the hit “I Can’t Stand Up for Falling Down,” which also peaked at number two in the UK charts. Its music video also received heavy rotation on MTV.
USA and Liverpool Connection
In the late 1970s, Costello’s career took off in the United States, which quickly became a second home for him. However, his music was met with a mixed reaction. While “Watching the Detectives” was a hit, his controversial appearance on Saturday Night Live—where he played the decidedly anti-commercial track “Radio, Radio”—cemented his reputation as a maverick. This performance earned him a devoted following of fans who admired his uncompromising stance. Yet, even while living in New York, Costello always referred to Liverpool as his true home.
Decline and Disbandment
The rules of show business are harsh. If you don’t consistently produce top-quality work or if you compromise your artistic integrity, you’ll soon be forgotten. This is what happened to Costello in the early 80s.
From 1981 to 1984, Costello experimented with a new sound, releasing country-rock albums like “Trust” and “Almost Blue.” These songs failed to resonate with audiences as his previous work had. Increasing internal conflicts within the band led to the official announcement in 1984 that the group was splitting up and that Costello was retiring from music. His album “Goodbye Cruel World” was savaged by critics and later described by Costello himself as the worst of his career, despite featuring a few decent songs.
The Comeback
After this, Costello focused more on producing. But in reality, he hadn’t stopped singing; he had just taken a short break. Before long, Elvis was back to delight his fans, releasing the fantastic single “The People’s Limousine” with his old friend Burnett. He even collaborated with Paul McCartney on the album “Spike,” which included the excellent track “Veronica.” Throughout the rest of the 1980s, Costello continued to promote new artists while also recording his own studio albums.
Years passed, and the Liverpudlian musician never stopped singing and recording. While he may no longer have been a global superstar, he continued to release material that captivated a specific audience. Just a few of his later albums include:
- Kojak Variety (a covers album) – 1995
- Painted From Memory – 1998
- North – 2003
- The Delivery Man – 2004
- Secret, Profane & Sugarcane – 2009
- National Ransom – 2010
- Wise Up Ghost (with The Roots) – 2013
- The Boy Named If – 2022
Costello’s creative drive is truly inspiring. Even in his late sixties, he shows no signs of slowing down!