Elvis Costello has just released a new album — his 32nd in a career that’s spanned more than five decades.

He’s come a long way, but the British singer-songwriter remembers the early days.

“I remember the first day they told me I’d sold 100 records in one day,” he told Ross and Russel.

“It seemed incredible.”

The British singer-songwriter says his management in the 70s told him to “try and look as opposite of glamorous as we can”, and traded his wire-rimmed glasses for a horn-rimmed pair.

“I think of it, really, the whole name and appearance in those early records was sort of like a secret identity,” he said.

“I got to, in some ways, shield myself behind all that while I leant how to get around and what I wanted to do with this opportunity.”

Press PLAY below to hear Elvis Costello chatting about his new album and getting his starting music 

Image: Rich Fury/Getty Images for The Recording Academy