My family calls me Declan. But most people call me E.C. I think it comes from my dad. It's an Irish convention.… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
I think when I was younger I was not very good at writing love songs that didn't have a twist. — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
There was not a lot of rock n roll in the house. Our parents didnt think it was very groovy, and I… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
Don't try to touch my heart, it's darker than you think. And don't try to read my mind, because it's full of… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
I've worked hard, every single day since I left school. I think I have a Protestant work ethic. — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
Turn up the TV. No one listening will suspect, even your mother won't detect it, no your father won't know. they think… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
'Content' is a word that has never sat well with me. Like 'maturity'. They are two words I've never liked. I think… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
My ultimate vocation in life is to be an irritant, someone who disrupts the daily drag of life just enough to leave… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
My dad's father was a White Star Line trumpet player in the '20s. It shaped the way that I think about music.… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
They say you better listen to the voice of reason But they don't give you any choice 'cause they think that it's… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
People think it is all about country music, and I know a lot of country music has come out of there, but… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
It's a petty thing, but I wouldn't join the Scouts when I was a kid, 'cause you had to swear allegiance to… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
I'm drawing from two generations back how to think about music, how to think about why you travel to make music, what… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
I don't think I was ever particularly mean. I can certainly think of some idiotic exchanges I've had. I was accused of… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
You think you're alone until you realize you're in it. Now fear is here to stay, love is here for a visit. — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
When you work with new people, I think that it throws all of the matters into relief, because you have to explain… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
The Internet is overrated. It's much smaller an innovation than people think it is. I don't think it's changed the way anybody… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
Why'd you have to say that there's always someone who can do it better than I can And don't you think that… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
Nonsense prevails, modesty fails Grace and virtue turn into stupidity While the calendar fades almost all barricades to a pale compromise And… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
I'd be very suspicious of anybody that seems to have to move to the next level of expression. I distrust that: now… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
Anything that has to travel all the way down from your cerebellum to your fingertips, there's a lot of things that can… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
When you're working with the same band you kind of know their style inside out, and even when you've been working for… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
History repeats the old conceits, the glib replies, the same defeats. — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
People think it is all about country music, and I know a lot of country music has come out of there, but like Blonde… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
I get very frustrated by this term 'genre exercise.' I mean, what exactly is that? Genre is not really relevant when you are writing… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
Even in a perfect world where everyone was equal. I'd still own the film rights and be working on the sequel. — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
Somebody should clip Sting around the head and tell him to stop using that ridiculous Jamaican accent. — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
There is something wrong with you if you don't get angry about something. — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
“Was it a millionaire who said "imagine no possessions?" A poor little schoolboy who said "we don't need no lessons?” — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
Though the passion still flutters and flickers, it never got into our knickers. — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
My dad's father was a White Star Line trumpet player in the '20s. It shaped the way that I think about music. My grandfather… — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
Maybe I just never learned my harmony part, because what everybody says sounds odd to them sounds perfectly natural to me. — Elvis Costello Copy Share Image
