UK
1972- Label and catalog number
- DJM Records DJX 501DJM Records DJX.501
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
Vinyl pressings
Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be A Long Long Time)
by Elton John · 1972
45 pressings19 countriesPop RockClassic RockRock
Rocket Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Rocket Man
34 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 18 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.
UK
1972- Label and catalog number
- DJM Records DJX 501DJM Records DJX.501
- Format
- 7", Single · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
DM̶JX 501 - A1Side A runout etched
DM̶JX 501 - B1Side B runout etched
DJX.501ASide A label
DJX.501BSide B label
UK
1972- Label and catalog number
- DJM Records DJX 501DJM Records DJX.501
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM
- Runout / matrix
D [crossed out M] JX 501 - A1 ASVariant 1 A-side runout, etched
D [crossed out N] JX 501 - B1 AOVariant 1 B-side runout, etched
D M̶ ̶ JX 501 - A1 - 2 DN _Variant 2 A-side runout, etched
D N̶ ̶ JX 501 - B1 3 QVariant 2 B-side runout, etched
UK
1972- Label and catalog number
- DJM Records DJX 501DJM Records DJX.501
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
UK
1972- Label and catalog number
- DJM Records DJX 501DJM Records DJX.501
- Format
- 7", Single · Gatefold 4 Prong Centre
- Runout / matrix
DJX 501 - A1 1 ATRunout side A
DJX 501 - B1 2 ARunout side B
UK
1972- Label and catalog number
- DJM Records DJX 501DJM Records DJX.501
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM
- Runout / matrix
D [crossed out M] JX 501 - A1 ASA-side runout, etched
D [crossed out N] JX 501 - B1 AOB-side runout, etched
DJX.501AA-side label
DJX.501BB-side label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 45 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s40 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Argentina | Producciones Fermata 3F-0420First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Argentina | Producciones Fermata 3F-0420First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Belgium | Supreme Records S 512First year7" | 7" |
| 1972 | Brazil | Young 301.1029First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | UNI Records 55328First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Chile | Producciones Fermata F-45-114First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Greece | Columbia SCMG 508First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | India | His Master's Voice POPV.8096First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Ireland | Pye Records DJX501First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Ireland | DJM Records DJX.501 / DJM Records DJX.501First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Japan | DJM Records IFR-10055First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Japan | DJM Records IFR-10055First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Kenya | Columbia DJX 501First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Lebanon | Columbia SCRL 96First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Peru | Fermata 15004First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
1980s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-601657", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-601657", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
Year unknown3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA 601657", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA 601657", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-601657", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
Tracklist
- ARocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be A Long Long Time)
- B1Holiday Inn
- B2Goodbye
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Rocket Man are there?
45 vinyl pressings of Rocket Man are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1972 and 1980.
When was Rocket Man first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, US, Argentina, Belgium and more. One of them is DJM Records DJX 501.
How do I tell if my copy of Rocket Man is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DJX 501, 55328, 3F-0420, S 512) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Rocket Man on vinyl worth?
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.
