Vinyl pressings
by Carl Douglas · 1974
Kung Fu Fighting was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
67 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 34 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
7N 45377 A-1Run-out side A, variant 1
7N45377 B-1 △GRun-out side B, variant 1
7N 45377 A-1 3Run-out side A, variant 2
7N 45377 B-1△G 2Run-out side B, variant 2
7N 45377 A-1A-side runout
7N 45377 B-1 △GB-side runout
7N 45377-ALabel side A
7N 45377-BLabel side B
7N 45377-ALabel side A
7N 45377-BLabel side B
7N45377-ALabel side A
7N45377-BLabel side B
7N 45377 A-1Side A runout, variant 1
7N 45377 B-1△GSide B runout, variant 1
7N 45377 A-1 2 CTSide A runout, variant 2
7N 45377 B-1△G 1 BYSide B runout, variant 2
7N 45377 A-1Run-out side A, etched
7N45377 B+1 △GRun-out side B, stamped
† 7N.45377-A †Label matrix, side A
† 7N.45377-B †Label matrix, side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Unknown | Pye Records PYS 327First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Argentina | Music Hall 32.211First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Australia | Astor AP-1854First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Austria | Pye Records 13 579 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Austria | Pye Records 13 579 AT / Pye Records PYE 13 579 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Special Edition | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Special Edition |
| 1974 | Barbados | Pye Records 7N 45377First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | Brazil | Pye Records 4-14-101-030 / Pye Records PCS-250.058First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Pye Records 7N 45377First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Pye Records 7N 45377First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Canada | Pye Records 7N 45377First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Denmark | Pye Records 7N 45377First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Denmark | Pye Records 7N 45377First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | El Salvador | Pye Records PYE-30First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | Pye Records 45 PY. 3145 / Pye Records 45. PY. 3145First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Pye Records 13 579 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Ghana | Philips TC 21407", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Jamaica | Pye Records TC-21407", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Philippines | Pye Records PYE-6137", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
73 vinyl pressings of Kung Fu Fighting are listed here, from 37 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, Nigeria, Norway and more. One of them is Pye Records 7N 45377, released August 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7N 45377, 7N45377, 7N.45377, PYS 327) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7N 45377 A-1 and 7N45377 B-1 △G. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
