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Chain Lightning by Don McLean, album cover

Vinyl pressings

Chain Lightning

by Don McLean · 1978

28 pressings19 countriesCountry RockRock

Chain Lightning was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.

How to spot a first pressing of Chain Lightning

14 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 11 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.

UK

1978
Label and catalog number
EMI International INS 3025EMI International OC 062-62 280
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

INS 3025 A-1Side A runout. Variant 1

INS 3025-B-1Side B runout. Variant 1

INS 3025 A-2 10 HTM 1Side A runout. Variant 2

INS 3025 B-2 18 2Side B runout. Variant 2

Full details of this pressing

Belgium

1978
Label and catalog number
EMI 4B 064-62280
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

4B 064-62280-A // 38935-1-YRunout Side 1

4B 064-62280-B // 38852-1YRunout Side 2

4B 064-62280-ASide 1 Label

4B 064-62280-BSide 2 Label

Full details of this pressing

Ireland

1978
Label and catalog number
EMI International INS 3025EMI International OC 062-62 280
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

INS 3025 A-1 ̶I̶N̶A̶1̶5̶6̶4̶ ̶A̶-̶1̶ HTM IRL CSide A label

INS.3025 B-2 IRL CSide B label

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 28 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1970s18 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1978UnknownEMI International 1A 062-62280First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978BelgiumEMI 4B 064-62280First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978GermanyEMI Electrola 1C 064-62 280First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978IrelandEMI International INS 3025 / EMI International OC 062-62 280First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978IsraelEpic EPC 83537 / The Rainbow Collection EPC 83537First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978JapanEMI EMS-81368First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978JapanEMI EMS-81368First yearLP, Album, Promo · PromoLP, Album, Promo · Promo
1978NetherlandsEMI 5C 062-62280First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1978NetherlandsNot On Label 'B-062-62228LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressingLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing
1978PhilippinesEMI INS 3025 / EMI OC 062-62 280First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1978PhilippinesRCA Victor BXL1-7756 / The Rainbow Collection BXL1-7756First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1978South AfricaEMI EMCJ (L) 5180 / EMI EMCJ(L) 5180First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978SwedenEMI 7C 062-62280First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978UKEMI International INS 3025 / EMI International OC 062-62 280First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978USMillennium BXL1-7756First yearLP, Advance, AlbumLP, Advance, Album
All 18 pressings from the 1970s
1980s7 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1980CanadaMillennium BXL1-7756 / The Rainbow Collection BXL1-7756LP, AlbumLP, Album
1980USMillennium BXL1-7756 / The Rainbow Collection BXL1-7756LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1981BrazilRCA 104.8193 / RCA Victor 104.8193LP, AlbumLP, Album
1981FranceTrema 310 096LP, AlbumLP, Album
1981MexicoRCA Victor MILS-4519LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1981Taiwan佳佳唱片 JJB-6313LP, Album, Unofficial Release · UnofficialLP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial
1989AustraliaInterfusion L 19083LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
2020s1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2025USBFD BFD8 1089.1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo
Year unknown2 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?AustraliaFestival Records L 36758 / Interfusion L36758LP, AlbumLP, Album
?NetherlandsEMI 5C 062-62280 / EMI 1A 062-62280LP, AlbumLP, Album

Tracklist

  1. A1Words And Music3:06
  2. A2Crying3:35
  3. A3It's Just The Sun2:30
  4. A4Lotta Lovin'2:07
  5. A5Chain Lightning7:48
  6. B1Your Cheating Heart3:04
  7. B2Wonderful Night3:01
  8. B3It Doesn't Matter Anymore3:02
  9. B4Since I Don't Have You2:31
  10. B5Genesis (In The Beginning)4:48
  11. B6It's A Beautiful Life2:11

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Chain Lightning are there?

28 vinyl pressings of Chain Lightning are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1978 and 2025.

When was Chain Lightning first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Belgium, Germany and more. One of them is Millennium BXL1-7756.

How do I tell if my copy of Chain Lightning is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BXL1-7756, 1A 062-62280, INS 3025, 4B 064-62280) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Chain Lightning on vinyl worth?

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.

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