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.
35 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.
UAST-7879-A-6 TII TRunout A etched, variant 1
UAST-7879-B-3 TIIIIRunout B etched, variant 1
UAST-7879-A-6 TRunout A etched, variant 2
UAST-7879-B-6 TRunout B etched, variant 2
UA-50856-A TGSide A
UA-50856-B TGSide B
p UAST-7879-A-RE1A-Side Runout Etching, variant 1
p UAST-7879-B-RE1B-Side Runout Etching, variant 1
p UAST-7879-A-REA-Side Runout Etching, variant 2
UAST-7879-B- REB-Side Runout Etching, variant 2
p UAST-7879-A-RE-1-1A-Side Runout Etching - variant 1
p UAST-7879-B-RE1-2B-Side Runout Etching - variant 1
p UAST-7879-A-RE1A-Side Runout Etching - variant 2
p UAST-7879-B-RE1B-Side Runout Etching - variant 2
UAST-7879-A Re-1 BB K-865Runout A, etched
UAST-7879-B Re-1 BB K-866Runout B, etched
UAST-7879-A Re-1 K-487Runout A, etched, variant 1
UAST-7879-B Re-1 K-488Runout B, etched, variant 1
UAST-7879-A RE 1 K-487Side A Runout Etched
UAST-7879-B RE 1 K-488Side B Runout Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Brazil | United Artists Records 8001First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Canada | United Artists Records UA 50856First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Canada | United Artists Records 50856 / The Rainbow Collection 50856First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Canada | United Artists Records 50856 / The Rainbow Collection 50856First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | France | United Artists Records UP 35325 / United Artists Records UP 35.325First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | France | United Artists Records UP 35.325First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | United Artists Records 35 325First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | United Artists Records 35 325First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Greece | United Artists Records 68 016First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Greece | United Artists Records 4505First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Guatemala | United Artists Records 50856First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1971 | Ireland | United Artists Records UP 35325First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Ireland | United Artists Records UP.35325First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Israel | United Artists Records UP 35325First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Jamaica | United Artists Records 50856First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | UK | Liberty UP 6287", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | UK | United Artists Records UP 6287", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Liberty 1A 006-931127", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | UK | Liberty UP 6287", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | United Artists Records 80017", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| ? | Canada | United Artists Records 508567", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | United Artists Records XW-520-X7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Canada | United Artists Records 50856 / The Rainbow Collection 508567", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | France | United Artists Records UP 35.325 / The Rainbow Collection UP 35.3257", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | France | United Artists Records UP 35888 / United Artists Records UP 35.8887", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | United Artists Records 35 3257", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Iran | Top 4 EXS-4394 / Top 4 EX-43947", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Ireland | United Artists Records UP 353257", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Singapore | United Artists Records UA 508567", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | Singapore | United Artists Records UA 508567", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol Records X 5207", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | United Artists Records X 5207", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | United Artists Records XW-520-X7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | United Artists Records XW-520-X7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene |
73 vinyl pressings of American Pie are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1971 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is United Artists Records 50856.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 50856, UP 35325, UP35325, 8001) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, UAST-7879-A-6 TII T and UAST-7879-B-3 TIIII. 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.
