Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1983
I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 15 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.
XPRES 91 A // 2 ▽ 42 0 C 1 1Side A stamped
XPRES 91 B//1 ▽4620 C 1 3Side B stamped
Timtom-cbsSide A etched
XPRES 91 A//1▽ 420 CSide A runout, stamped
XPRES 91 B//1▽420 CSide B runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Brazil | The Rocket Record Company 812 168-7 9First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ecuador | The Rocket Record Company 812 168-7 / The Rocket Record Company 45-36007First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | France | The Rocket Record Company 812 168-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 812 168-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 812 168-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Guatemala | The Rocket Record Company 812 168-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | The Rocket Record Company XPRES 91First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | The Rocket Record Company XPRES 91First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Italy | The Rocket Record Company 812 168-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Netherlands | The Rocket Record Company 812 168-7 / Phonogram 812 168-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | The Rocket Record Company 812 168-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Philippines | The Rocket Record Company RRC-65-716First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Portugal | The Rocket Record Company 812 168-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | South Africa | The Rocket Record Company TOS 1437 / Phonogram 812-168-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Spain | The Rocket Record Company 812 168-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
24 vinyl pressings of I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, Brazil, Ecuador, France and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company XPRES 91.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use XPRES 91, 812 168-7 9, 812 168-7, RRC-65-716) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XPRES 91 A // 2 ▽ 42 0 C 1 1 and XPRES 91 B//1 ▽4620 C 1 3. 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.
