Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1974
Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
57 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 21 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.
DJLPH 442 A-3 PRunout A-side, variant 1
DJLPH 442 B-▲3 LGRunout B-side, variant 1
DJLPH 442 A-3 PRunout A-side, variant 2
DJLPH 442 - B. 4Runout B-side, variant 2
DJLPH 442A-3 0Side A etched,variant 1
DJLPH 442-B.4 1Side A etched,variant 1
DJLPH 442A-3 6Side A etched,variant 2
DJLPH 442-B.4 1Side A etched,variant 2
DJLPH 442 A-3Runout A-side, variant 1
DJLPH 442 - B. 4Runout B-side, variant 1
DJLPH 442 A-3 1 HWRunout A-side, variant 2
DJLPH 442 - B. 4 6 ZRunout B-side, variant 2
DJLPS⃥H 442-A4 ARUN CESide A runout etched, variant 1
DJLPS⃥H 442 - B - 5 DASide B runout etched, variant 1
DJLP SH 442-A4 ARUN C D GSide A runout etched, variant 2
DJLP SH 442-B5 AASide B runout etched, variant 2
mca 586Side A runout etched
mca 586Side B runout etched
mca 586Label side A
mca 586Label side B
DJLPH 442A-3 ∞ DPSide A, variant 1
DJLPH 442-B.4 1 DESide B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | DJM Records L 35291 / DJM Records L-35,291First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Australia | DJM Records L 35291 / DJM Records L-35,291First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 2128First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 3007First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 2128First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2128 / MCA Records MCA 2128First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 3007 / MCA Records MCA 2128First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2128 / MCA Records MCA 2128First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2128 / MCA Records MCA 2128First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2128 / MCA Records MCA 2128First yearLP, Compilation, Etched | LP, Compilation, Etched |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 3007First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2128 / MCA Records MCA 2128First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 3007 / MCA Records MCA 2128First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 2128First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | France | DJM Records DJLPH442 / DJM Records DJM 442First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37215LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37215LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37215LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5224LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | Portugal | DJM Records MM - 7 019 / DJM Records 7.019LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1980 | Portugal | DJM Records DJF 1150LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | DJM Records DJH 20442LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | South Korea | Oasis Record Co. OLE-338 / DJM Records DJH 20442LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | DJM Records DJH 20442 / DJM Records DJH20442LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | DJM Records DJH 20442LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | DJM Records DJH 20442 / DJM Records DJH20442LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA 3007LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-1689 / MCA Records MCA 1689LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-37215LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-5224LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Spain | DJM Records 826 785-1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1995 | US | DCC Compact Classics LPZ-2013LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1996 | US | DCC Compact Classics LPZ-2013LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Angola | DJM Records DJC 3029LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Australasia | DJM Records 821 750-1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Australasia | DJM Records 821 750-1LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA 3007LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37215LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2128 / MCA Records MCA 2128LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5224 / MCA Records MCA 5224LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5224LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Colombia | Odeon 11347LP, Compilation, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| ? | Colombia | Odeon 11347LP, Compilation, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| ? | Colombia | Odeon 11347LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | DJM Records DJH 20442LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | DJM Records DJH 20442LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | France | DJM Records DJH 20442LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | France | DJM Records 503009LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
161 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits are listed here, from 38 countries, released between 1974 and 1996.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, France, Portugal and more. One of them is DJM Records DJLPH 442, released November 4, 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DJLPH 442, MCA 586, MCA 2128, DJLPH.442) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DJLPH 442 A-3 P and DJLPH 442 B-▲3 LG. 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.
