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.
16 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 4 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.
7-29460-AAA-1962-S-JW1 #2 [Artisan] ORunout A
7-29460-YCA-2650-S-JW1 #2 ORunout B
AAA 1962SLabel A
YCA 2650SLabel B
7-29460-AAA-1962-S-RE1-SH2 #1 SLM △5473 O 1-1 timtomRunout, side A, etched
7-29460-YCA-2650-S-JW1 #3 ORunout, side B, etched
AAA 1962SLabel side A
YCA 2650SLabel side B
AAA 1962SLabel A
YCA 2650SLabel B
7-29460-AAA-1962-S-RE1-SH1 ɑ R-12024-Re1 SH1 SLM △5473 timtom 0-1Side A runout etched; Allied 'ɑ' stamped
7-29460-YCA-2650-S-SR2 \-1 [SRC logo]Side B runout etched; [SRC logo] stamped
AAA 1962SSide A label
YCA 2650SSide B label
7-29460-AAA-1962-S-RE1-SH1 ɑ [Allied logo] R-12024-ReI SHI SLM△5473 timtom 1-2A Runout
7-29460-YCA-2650-S-SH1 [Artisan logo] Falinte SLM ɑ [Allied logo] R-12025-SHI SLM △5474 1-1B Runout
AAA 1962SA Label
YCA 2650SB Label
7-29460-AAA-1962-S-SH1 [Artisan logo] [Allied logo] R-12024-SHI SLM △5473 1-1A Runout
7-29460-YCA-2650-S-SH1 [Artisan logo] Falinte SLM [Allied logo] R-12025-SHI SLM △5474 1-1B Runout
AAA 1962SA Label
YCA 2650SB Label
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 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 94607First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 94607First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 94607First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | The Rocket Record Company 7PP-123First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1983 | Japan | The Rocket Record Company 7PP-123First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Geffen Records 7-29460 / Geffen Records 9 29460-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | Geffen Records 7-29460First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1983 | US | Geffen Records 7-29460 / Geffen Records 955-29460First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | Geffen Records 7-29460First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | Geffen Records 7-29460 / Geffen Records 9 29460-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1983 | US | Geffen Records 7-29460First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1983 | US | Geffen Records 7-29460First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | Geffen Records 7-29460First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | The Rocket Record Company 812 798-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | Geffen Records 7-29460First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
17 vinyl pressings of I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Australia, Canada, Japan. One of them is Geffen Records 7-29460, released October 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-29460, 812 798-7, 92 94607, 7PP-123) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7-29460-AAA-1962-S-JW1 #2 [Artisan] O and 7-29460-YCA-2650-S-JW1 #2 O. 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.
