UK
1971- Label and catalog number
- Paramount Records SPFL 269Paramount Records 1E 062 ◦ 92266
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
SPFL 269 A-2U GM 2 GPSide A runout
SPFL 269 B-2U RD 2Side B runout
Vinyl pressings
Friends
by Elton John · 1971
67 pressings26 countriesSoundtrackPop RockRockStage & Screen
Friends 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Friends
26 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 18 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.
US
1971- Label and catalog number
- Paramount Records PAS 6004Paramount Records PAS-6004
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Monarch Press
- Runout / matrix
PAS-6004-A-11 (MR) △15700 (4)Runout A, Var. 1
PAS-6004-B-9 (MR) △15700-X (4)Runout B, Var. 1
PAS-6004-A-10 (MR) △15700 (4)Runout A, Var. 2
PAS-6004-B-9 (MR) △15700-X (4)Runout B, Var. 2
US
1971- Label and catalog number
- Paramount Records PAS-6004Paramount Records PAS 6004
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
PAS-6004-A-13 2‧10‧71Side A runout
PAS-6004-B-12 2‧10‧71Side B runout
LPS-6004-ASide A label
LPS-6004-BSide B label
US
1971- Label and catalog number
- Paramount Records PAS 6004
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
LPS 6004 AA side label
X T 1 (scribed) p(stamped/inverted) PAS-6004A-16(scribed)A side deadwax
LPS 6004 BB side label
X T 2 (scribed) p(stamped/inverted) PAS-6004-B-15(scribed)B side deadwax
US
1971- Label and catalog number
- Paramount Records PAS 6004Paramount Records PAS-6004
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
PAS-6004-A-8-1-1 s P.R. +Runout Side A, Etched, variant 1
PAS-6004-B-13-1-1 s P.R. +Runout Side B, Etched, variant 1
PAS-6004-A-8-1-1 s P.R. +Runout Side A, Etched, variant 2
PAS-6004-B-15[scratched out]13-1-1 s P.R. +Runout Side B, Etched, variant 2
US
1971- Label and catalog number
- Paramount Records PAS 6004Paramount Records PAS-6004
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
PAS-6004-A-13 2‧10‧71Side A Runout, etched
PAS-6004-B-12 2‧10‧71Side B runout, etched
LPS-6004-ASide A label
LPS-6004-BSide B label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 67 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s53 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Paramount Records SPML-934183 / Paramount Records PAS 6004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | Paramount Records PAS 6004First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Colombia | Codiscos CI-77 / Paramount Records ECI-77First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Denmark | Paramount Records PAS 6004First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | El Salvador | Paramount Records PAS-6008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | France | Paramount Records 2C 062 92266 / Paramount Records 2C 062-92.266First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | Paramount Records 1 C 062-92 266First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Greece | Paramount Records PASG 6004 / Paramount Records PAS G 6004First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Iran | Royal LRT 65First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Italy | Paramount Records 3 C062-92266 / Paramount Records 3C 062-92266First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Italy | Paramount Records 3C 062-92266LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1971 | Japan | Paramount Records SWG-7512First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | Paramount Records SWG-7512First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | Paramount Records SWG-7512First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Paramount Records PAS 6004First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
1980s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Germany | MCA Records 251 685-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
1990s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | EMI 3854809LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
2020s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | EMI 3555744 / UMC 0602435557441LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | UK | DJM Records 00602438548095 / EMI 539458LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
Year unknown10 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Interfusion L 34183 / Interfusion L-34,183LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Brazil | MCA Records 201 525LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Israel | Paramount Records PAS-6004LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Italy | MCA Records MCMP 31001LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Italy | EMI ITALIANA S.p.A. 3 C06292266LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCL 1749LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | MCA Records ABCL5082 / ABC Records ABCL5082LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Paramount Records PAS-6004LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Paramount Records PAS-6004LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Paramount Records PAS 6004 / Paramount Records PAS-6004LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1Friends2:20
- A2Honey Roll3:00
- A3Variations On "Friends" Theme (The First Kiss)1:45
- A4Seasons3:52
- A5Variations On Michelle's Song (A Day In The Country)2:44
- A6Can I Put You On5:52
- B1Michelle's Song4:16
- B2I Meant To Do My Work Today (A Day In The Country)1:33
- B3Four Moods10:56
- B4Seasons Reprise1:33
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Friends are there?
67 vinyl pressings of Friends are listed here, from 26 countries, released between 1971 and 2021.
When was Friends first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Paramount Records SPFL 269.
How do I tell if my copy of Friends is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SPFL 269, PAS 6004, PAS-6004, SPML-934183) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SPFL 269 A-2U GM 2 GP and SPFL 269 B-2U RD 2. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Friends 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.
