Vinyl pressings
by Don McLean · 1971
American Pie was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
37 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 14 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.
UAS 5535-A-6 1TSide A runout, variant 1
UAS 5535-B-RE-4-1 1TSide B runout, variant 1
UAS 5535-A-RE8 1T B BBSide A runout, variant 2
UAS 5535-B-RE-4-2 1TSide B runout, variant 2
UAS 5535-A-RE3 1TA Side Etch
UAS 5535-B -6 1TB Side Etch
UAS 5535 Side 1A Side Etch
UAS 5535 Side 2B Side Etch
UAS-5535-A Re 4 ⛥ 2Side A, Variant 1 Etched
+ UAS-5535-B Re 4 XSide B, Variant 1 Etched
UAS-5535-A Re 4 ☆ 3Side A, Variant 2 Etched
UAS-5535-B Re 4 ☆ (2)Side B, Variant 2 Etched
UAS 5535-A-RE-5Variant 1, Side A
UAS 5535-B-2Variant 1, Side B
P UAS 5535-A RE-2Variant 2, Side A
UAS 5535-B-2AVariant 2, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Liberty LN-10037LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | Liberty LN 510037 / The Rainbow Collection LN 510037LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| 1980 | Canada | Liberty LN-10037 / The Rainbow Collection LN-10037LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | Liberty LN-10037 / The Rainbow Collection LN-10037LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | New Zealand | United Artists Records UAL 3015LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Portugal | United Artists Records 8E 072-93 703 / United Artists Records 11E 074 93703LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | United Artists Records 10C 064-093703LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Spain | United Artists Records 10 C 064-093703 / The Rainbow Collection 10 C 064-093703LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | Liberty LN-10037LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | Liberty LN-10037LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Liberty LN-510037 / Liberty LN510037LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| 1980 | US | Liberty LN-10037LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Australia | United Artists Records UAC.5003 / United Artists Records UAC-5003LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | Liberty LN-10037 / The Rainbow Collection LN-10037LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Liberty LN-10037LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | UK | Simply Vinyl SVLP 238LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2000 | UK | Simply Vinyl SVLP 238LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | Friday Music FRM 5535LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2016 | US | Capitol Records B0024312-01 / UMe B0024312-01LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Europe | UMe 00602547670403LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
185 vinyl pressings of American Pie are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1971 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is United Artists Records UAS-5535, released October 1, 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UAS-5535, UAS-5335, UAS 29285, UAS29285) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, UAS 5535-A-6 1T and UAS 5535-B-RE-4-1 1T. 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.
