Vinyl pressings
by Elton John Band · 1975
Philadelphia Freedom was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
44 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 24 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.
MC 3825-W8 ◈-P-◈Runout Side A, variation 1
MC 3827-W7 ◈-P-◈Runout Side B, variation 1
MC 3825-W9 ◈-P-◈Runout Side A,variation 2
MC 3827-W9 ◈-P-◈Runout Side B, variation 2
MC 3826-W9 ◈ P ◈A Side
MC 3827-W9 ◈ P ◈B Side
MC 3826Side A Label
MC 3827Side B Label
MC 3826-W2 回-G-回Side A runout, variant 1
MC 3827-W2-Side B runout, variant 1
MC 3826-W3 ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout, variant 2
MC 3827-W3. ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout, variant 2
MC 3826-W9 ◈-P-◈ 111Side A runout
MC 3827-W8 ◈-P-◈ HK1Side B runout
MC3826Side A, Label
MC3827Side B, Label
MC 3826-W12 [Stamped: ◈–P–◈] IIIIEtched Side A
MC 3827-W12- [Stamped: ◈–P–◈] IIEtched Side B, variant 1
(MC 3826)Side A Label
(MC 3827)Side B Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Argentina | Parnaso Records PS-229First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Argentina | Parnaso Records PS-229First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Australia | DJM Records K-5828First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Austria | DJM Records 2043 003First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Brazil | Young 301.1081First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 40364First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-40364First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 40364First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Colombia | Odeon 46598First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | France | DJM Records DJM 17645First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Germany | DJM Records 2043 003First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Greece | Columbia SCMG 547First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Italy | DJM Records SIR 20185First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Mexico | Musart MI 30224First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Mexico | Musart MI 30224 / DJM Records MI 30224First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 403647", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-403647", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-403647", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-403647", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1989 | Germany | DJM Records 874 272-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | MCA Records 403647", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | Guatemala | EMI 4747", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
52 vinyl pressings of Philadelphia Freedom are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1975 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-40364, released February 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-40364, DJS 354, djs 354, DJS.354) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC 3825-W8 ◈-P-◈ and MC 3827-W7 ◈-P-◈. 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.
