Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1973
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 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.
43 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
DJS 285-A5 IA-side etched variant 1
DJS 285-B5 IIB-sIde etched variant 1
DJS 285-A5 3A-side etched variant 2
DJS 285-B5 3B-sIde etched variant 2
DJS 285-A5Runout side A
DJS 285-B5Runout side B
DJS 285-A5 IA Side Etched
DJS 285-B5 IIB SIde Etched
DJS.285AA SIde Label
DJS.285BB Side Label
DJS 285 A-5 3Side A, runout, etched
DJS 285 B-5 3Side B, runout, etched
DJS.285ASide A, label
DJS.285BSide B, label
DJS 285 - A5 I B DSide A etched runout
DJS 285 - B5. I B ASide B etched runout
DJS.285ASide A label
DJS.285BSide B label
DJS 285 AS
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 | Australia | DJM Records K-5282 / DJM Records DJS-285First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Austria | DJM Records 12 971 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Brazil | Young 301.1056 / Fermata 301.1056First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Brazil | Fermata 301.1056 / Young 301.1056First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 40148First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | DJM Records DJM 17616First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | DJM Records 12 971 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | India | MCA Records MCA-40148First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Ireland | Pye Records DJS 285First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Ireland | DJM Records DJS.285First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Italy | DJM Records SIR 20175First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1973 | Italy | DJM Records SIR 20175First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1973 | Jamaica | DJM Records DJS285First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Mozambique | DJM Records DJS 336First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Netherlands | DJM Records 6102 324First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-401487", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-401487", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Angola | DJM Records 8E 006-94845 MF7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Australia | DJM Records K-52827", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-401487", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Venezuela | Promus 501457", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Venezuela | Promus 501457", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Venezuela | Promus 501457", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
58 vinyl pressings of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road are listed here, from 29 countries, released between 1973 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is DJM Records DJS.285, released September 21, 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DJS.285, DJS 285, DJS 10285, MCA-40148) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DJS 285-A5 I and DJS 285-B5 II. 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.
