120,000+ Classic Rock Album Covers Database (1948-2026): Elvis Costello - Kojak Variety (1995)

Elvis Costello - Kojak Variety (1995)

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🎬 Elvis Costello – Kojak Variety (1995)

Release Date: March 21, 1995
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Genre: Rock, Pop, Covers
Length: 48:29
Producer: Elvis Costello

🎵 Kojak Variety is the fifteenth studio album by Elvis Costello, notable for being almost entirely an album of cover songs. Recorded with The Imposters (minus a few tracks featuring The Attractions), the album showcases Costello’s ability to reinterpret classics while stamping them with his unique voice and wit.

The title Kojak Variety was inspired by Costello’s fascination with the oddball mix of music, pop culture, and eclectic Americana, similar to flipping through the diverse offerings of a variety show.

📝 Tracklist

“Running Out of Fools”
“Hurry Down Doomsday (The Bugs Are Taking Over)”
“Shining Light”
“Out of Time”
“Pills and Soap”
“I Can’t Stand Up for Falling Down”
“Wonderful World”
“I Threw It All Away”
“They’ll Never Take Her Love from Me”
“I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself”
“My Funny Valentine”
“I Want to Vanish”

(Tracklist may vary slightly depending on edition.)

🎤 Album Credits

Elvis Costello – Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
Steve Nieve – Keyboards
Bruce Thomas – Bass (on select tracks)
Pete Thomas – Drums (on select tracks)
Elvis Costello – Producer

🎶 The album features a mixture of rock, soul, and jazz standards, giving Costello room to reinterpret classics with his trademark vocal delivery and arrangements.

🌟 Most Popular Tracks

Notable highlights include:

“I Can’t Stand Up for Falling Down” – Uptempo, soulful reinterpretation of the Sam & Dave classic.
“I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself” – Elegant, heartfelt version of the Bacharach-David song.
“They’ll Never Take Her Love from Me” – Country-infused cover demonstrating Costello’s roots influence.
“My Funny Valentine” – Jazz standard given a Costello twist.

💰 Commercial Performance & Legacy

💿 Kojak Variety had modest commercial success but received critical praise for:

Costello’s interpretive skill in reimagining well-known songs
Showcasing his versatility across genres
Strengthening his reputation as a vocalist capable of moving effortlessly between rock, pop, jazz, and country

Although it didn’t match the commercial impact of some of his previous releases, it remains a fan favorite for its eclectic mix.

🎉 Fun Facts

The album was named after a variety of influences and Costello’s fascination with eclecticism, reminiscent of a variety show lineup.
Most of the album was recorded live in the studio, capturing a spontaneous feel.
The selection of songs spans decades of American and British pop music, demonstrating Costello’s deep musical knowledge.

🕵️ Trivia

“I Can’t Stand Up for Falling Down” was originally a hit for Sam & Dave and later famously covered by Elvis Costello.
The album includes a mix of rock, soul, and country tracks, showing Costello’s wide-ranging influences.
Critics noted that Kojak Variety blurs the line between homage and reinterpretation, giving old classics a fresh perspective.

🤔 Did You Know?

Elvis Costello’s real name is Declan Patrick MacManus.
Costello used Kojak Variety to explore his love of American roots and pop classics.
The album’s title is a nod to the eclectic nature of a variety show, reflecting the diverse musical content.