Elvis Costello: His Top 20 Albums

Elvis Costello Top 20 Albums

Singer/songwriter Elvis Costello was born Declan McManus in Paddington, London, England, on August 25, 1954. He changed his name to Elvis Costello in 1976. He came out of the British punk/new wave scene in 1977 and became one of the most celebrated musicians of all time with his diverse abilities for dipping his toe into multiple musical genres including R&B, country, and classical. While these lists reflect a definite emphasis on his work from the ‘70s and ‘80s, Costello continues to make adventurous music. His fans never know just where he might go on his next album. Click here to see other best-of lists from other performers, including best albums or songs by specific acts.

Awards:

Top 20 Albums Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by album’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, critics’ ratings, and awards. This list focuses only on studio releases, not on compilations, live recordings, or archival collections. This Year’s Model (1978) My Aim Is True (1977) Armed Forces (1979) Imperial Bedroom (1982) Get Happy!! (1980) King of America (1986) Blood and Chocolate (1986) Trust (1981) Spike (1989) The Delivery Man (2004) Punch the Clock (1983) When I Was Cruel (2002) National Ransom (2010) Almost Blue (1981) Look Now (2018) Brutal Youth (1994) Painted from Memory (with Burt Bacharach, 1998) Mighty Like a Rose (1991) Secret, Profane and Sugarcane (2009) All This Useless Beauty (1996) Related Links: First posted 8/25/2012; last updated 4/24/2026.

---