Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1973
Bennie And The Jets was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 3 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 2089 - W4 ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout etched; stamped - Variant 1
MC 2103 - W6 ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout etched; stamped - Variant 1
MC 2089 - W5 ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout etched; stamped - Variant 2
MC 2103 - W4 ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout etched; stamped - Variant 2
MC 2089-W9. ◈-P-◈Side A Runout
mono MC 2089M W-9.Side B Runout
MC 2089-W4 ⧈-G-⧈Etched runout side A [variant 1]
MC 2103-W5 ⧈-G-⧈Etched runout side B [variant 1]
MC 2089-W3- ⧈-G-⧈Etched runout side A [variant 2]
MC 2103-W4. ⧈-G-⧈Etched runout side B [variant 2]
MC 2089-W6. -K-Etched Side A
MC 2103-W5.Etched Side B
MC 2089 - W6 ⧈-K-⧈Side A runout etched; stamped - Variant 1
MC 2103 - W5 ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout etched; stamped - Variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 40198First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 40198First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-40198First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Jamaica | MCA Records MCA-40198First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records MCA-40198First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records MCA-40198First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, White Label, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, White Label, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1974 | US | MCA Records MCA-401987", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | MCA Records MCA-401987", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | US | MCA Records MCA-401987", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1978 | US | MCA Records MCA-401987", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-401987", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-401987", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UK | Secret 7" S787", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA 401987", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-401987", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
15 vinyl pressings of Bennie And The Jets are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1973 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Canada, Jamaica. One of them is MCA Records MCA-40198.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-40198, MCA 40198) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC 2089 - W4 ⧈-G-⧈ and MC 2103 - W6 ⧈-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.
