Yes, the Man knows how to lay down a guitar solo .not so easy.

probably not his most popular tune, but actually I have loved that song for a long time. The whole Mighty Like A Rose album is interesting. Kind of a darker version of Spike.

And what was the deal with how he changed his appearance for a year (gained a bunch of weight, grew long hair & beard) and immediately went back to normal?

Yeah I don't really think of Elvis as a great guitar player, but that solo works really well for the song.

The only Costello song I know is "Everyday I Write the Book," a song I happen to love.