Elvis Costello tapped for Order of the British Empire award

Singer-songwriter Elvis Costello was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday honors list, Variety reported.

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Costello, 64, who was born Declan Patrick MacManus, joins a long list of musicians who have received the award, including Olivia Newton John (1979), Tom Jones (1999), Eric Clapton (1994), Jimmy Page (2005), John Mayall (2005), Van Morrison (2006), Joe Cocker (2007) and Graham Nash (2010).

"To be honest, I'm pretty tickled to receive this acknowledgement for my 'Services To Music,' as it confirms my long held suspicion nobody really listens to the words in songs or the outcome might have been somewhat different," Costello wrote on his website.

Costello, whose song catalog includes "Alison," Radio, Radio," "Pump It Up," "Oliver's Army" and "Veronica," had to cancel several shows last year after undergoing cancer treatment last year, the Liverpool Echo reported.

On his website, Costello said he wrestled about whether he should accept the award, but relented after speaking with his mother.

"I listened carefully to my mother's argument that if something is deserved then one must be gracious in acceptance," Costello wrote.

Cox Media Group