The 1995 album Kojak Variety by Elvis Costello solely consists of cover songs written by others. Featured covers include “Strange” by Screamin' Jay Hawkins, “Bama Lama Bama Loo” by Little Richard, “Running Out Of Fools” by Aretha Franklin and “Hidden Charms” by Willie Dixon amongst others. The track “Days” previously appeared on the soundtrack Until The End Of The World, the 1991 score to Wim Wenders' same-titled film.

Costello recorded the album alongside James Burton, Jim Keltner, Larry Knechtel, Marc Ribot, Jerry Scheff and Pete Thomas.