Despite his impressive musical career and numerous accolades, the legendary singer-songwriter is constantly overshadowed by the other Elvis, who just happened to be a little more successful.
“It’s like, come on people, use your Google!” exclaimed Costello in a recent interview with Rolling Stone. “I mean, I appreciate that the other Elvis was a music icon and all, but can’t I have my own identity too?“
Costello, known for hits like “Alison” and “Everyday I Write The Book,” has had enough of being mistaken for the King of Rock and Roll. He even considered changing his name to avoid confusion but ultimately decided against it.
“I thought about going by ‘Elvis 2.0’ or ‘The Other Elvis,’ but I didn’t want to seem desperate,” Costello said with a hint of resignation.
The mix-up has been a constant source of frustration for Costello, who can’t even go to the grocery store without being bombarded by fans asking for autographs and serenades.
“I was just trying to buy some milk and eggs, and this guy comes up to me and asks me to sing ‘Jailhouse Rock’,” recounted Costello with a sigh. “I mean, I know the song, but that’s not the point. I’m not that Elvis!“
Costello has even tried to embrace the mix-up, donning a white jumpsuit and shades for a Halloween concert. However, it only seemed to exacerbate the issue.
“I thought it would be funny, but people just kept asking me to do the hip gyrations,” said Costello with a shake of his head.
As for the future, Costello is hopeful that people will finally start to recognize him as his own person and not just a doppelganger for the other Elvis.
“I’m not saying I want to be more famous than him, but is it too much to ask for people to acknowledge that I exist?” asked Costello with a wry grin.
Despite his frustrations, Costello is still making music and plans to continue for years to come, whether or not people mistake him for the King. After all, as he puts it, “a name may be a powerful thing, but it’s the music that really matters.“
