Main content

Elvis Costello

Sue Lawley's castaway is singer-songwriter Elvis Costello.

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is singer-songwriter Elvis Costello. Widely regarded as one of the best British songwriters of recent years, he comes from a musical family - both his father and grandfather were trumpeters.

He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his eclectic taste in music, comparing classical singers to pop stars, and choosing eight records, not for pleasure, but to provide sustenance on his desert island.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Vivace String Quartet in F Major by Ludwig van Beethoven
Book: Selected Works by James Thurber
Luxury: Upright piano

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Fri 28 Feb 1992 09:05
麻豆社 Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Sir Roger Bannister

Next

Dr Steve Jones

See all episodes from Desert Island Discs

Music Played

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Ludwig van Beethoven

      String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135 - 2nd movement

      • String Quartets By Beethoven & Shostakovich.
      • Teldec.

  • Frank Sinatra

    I've Got You Under My Skin

    • Songs For Swingin' Lovers.
    • Capitol Records.

  • Ross Macmanus & The Joe Loss Orchestra

    At Last

    • Joe Loss Plays Glenn Miller.
    • EMI.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Non so pi霉 cosa son (from The Marriage of Figaro)

    • The Marriage Of Figaro.
    • Erato.

  • The Beatles

    You Really Got A Hold On Me

    • With The Beatles.
    • Parlophone.

  • Franz Schubert

    Piano Sonata No. 21 in B flat major, D960 -1st movement

    Performer: Alfred Brendel.
    • Schubert Piano Sonata In B Flat & Fantasia In C.
    • Philips.

  • Henry Purcell

    When I am laid in earth (Dido's Lament) (from Dido and Aeneas)

    • Dido And Aeneas.
    • Archiv.

  • Duke Ellington and His Orchestra

    Blood Count

    • and his Mother Called Him Bill.
    • Bluebird.

  • Book Choice

    • Selected Works - James Thurber

  • Luxury Choice

    • Upright piano

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Elvis Costello

Broadcasts

  • Sun 23 Feb 1992 12:15
    麻豆社 Radio 4
  • Fri 28 Feb 1992 09:05
    麻豆社 Radio 4

Featured in...

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast