Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1982
Love Songs was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 9 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.
6302 230 1Y 1 670 11 2Runout, side A, variant 1
6302 230 2Y 1 670 11 1Runout, side B, variant 1
6302 230 1Y 1 670 1131 06Runout, side A, variant 2
6302 230 2Y 1 670 1143 03Runout, side B, variant 2
6 302 230 1Y 2 670 1 527 03Variant 1 - side 1
6 302 230 1Y 2 670 1132 03Variant 1 - side 2
6 302 230 1Y 2 670 159 03
6302 230 2Y 1 670 1122 03
TVA 3 A // 2 ▽ 420 T 1 2 1 POUNDA TA1PESide A runout
TVA 3 B // 2 ▽ 420 T 1 1 1 2Side B runout
TVA 3-ASide A label
TVA 3-BSide B label
6302 230 1Y = 2 320Runout Side A, stamped, variant 1
6302 230 2Y 320Runout Side B, stamped, variant 1
6302 230 1Y = 2 320 1 F[90°rotated]Runout Side A, stamped, variant 2
6302 230 2Y 320 E 1[90°rotated]Runout Side B, stamped, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Ecuador | The Rocket Record Company LP-36004First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | France | The Rocket Record Company 6302 230First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 6302 230First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Israel | The Rocket Record Company 6302 230First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Netherlands | The Rocket Record Company 6302 230First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1982 | Netherlands | The Rocket Record Company 6302 230First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | The Rocket Record Company 6302 230First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | South Africa | The Rocket Record Company STAR 5293First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | UK | TV Records TVA 3 / TV Records T.V.A. 3First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1982 | Zimbabwe | Trutone Music STAR 5293First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Argentina | The Rocket Record Company 6302 230LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1983 | Italy | The Rocket Record Company 6302 230LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Netherlands | The Rocket Record Company 814 085-1LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1983 | Portugal | The Rocket Record Company 6302 230LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | South Korea | The Rocket Record Company ROCKET 6302 230LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Kenya | Mercury 6302 230 / The Rocket Record Company 6302 230LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Peru | The Rocket Record Company Y - ROC - 6302230.7LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of Love Songs are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1982 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in Netherlands, UK, Ecuador, France and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company 6302 230.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6302 230, TVA 3, LP-36004, STAR 5293) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6302 230 1Y 1 670 11 2 and 6302 230 2Y 1 670 11 1. 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.
