Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1984
Breaking Hearts was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. 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 1984, the album's first year, in 27 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.
HISPD 25 A // 1 ▽ 420 CSide A stamped variant 1
tim tom ∙ cbsSide A etched variant 1
HISPD 25 B // 1 ▽ 420 CSide B stamped variant 1
TY ∙ cbsSide B etched variant 1
HISPD 25 A//1▽420 C tim tom ∙ cbsSide A runout, stamped/etched
HISPD 25 B//1▽420 C TY ∙ cbsSide B runout, stamped/etched
HISPD 25 A//1▽420 C 11 U timtom-cbsSide A stamped and etched
HISPD 25 B//2▽420 C 11 TY-cbsSide B stamped and etched
SP GHS-24031-A-SH1 B-19501-SH1 SLM Δ7020 0 -1 /sml-/ TY-cbs ukRunout A [Var1], etch
SH-HP GHS-24031-B-SH3 B- 19502-SH3 SLM Δ7020-X TY-cbs uk SPRunout B [Var1], etch
GHS-24031-A-SH3 #2 a B-19501-SH3 SLM Δ7020 1-2 CAP. JACK TY-cbs ukRunout A [Var2], etch; a (Allied) stamp
GHS 24031-B-SH5 #1 a B-19502-SH5 SLM Δ7020-X 1-1 CAP. JACKRunout B [Var2], etch; a (Allied) stamp
GHS-24031-A-SH1 B-19501-SH1 SLM Δ7020 1-1 TY_cbs ukRunout Side A, Etched
GHS-24031-B-SH2 SLM TY_cbs uk Δ7020-X 1-1-SM1-1Runout Side B, Etched
ɑRunout Both Sides, Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | The Rocket Record Company 822 088-1 / The Rocket Record Company 27198First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australasia | The Rocket Record Company 822 088-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australia | The Rocket Record Company 822 088-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australia | The Rocket Record Company 822 088-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australia & New Zealand | The Rocket Record Company 822 088-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Bolivia | The Rocket Record Company HL/RRBL-32-2 / The Rocket Record Company HL/RRBL - 32-2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Brazil | The Rocket Record Company 822 088-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 24031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Geffen Records GHS 24031LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | Ecuador | The Rocket Record Company L.P.-36006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | The Rocket Record Company 822 088-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | The Rocket Record Company 822 088-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 822 088-1QFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 41 484 7LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 32 248-7LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Worldwide | Rocket Entertainment 4596161 / Mercury 4596161LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Korea | High Stereo Light 699LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
53 vinyl pressings of Breaking Hearts are listed here, from 28 countries, released between 1984 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Netherlands, Japan and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company HISPD 25.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HISPD 25, 822 088-1, GHS 24031, 25PP-130) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HISPD 25 A // 1 ▽ 420 C and tim tom ∙ cbs. 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.
