Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1984
Sad Songs (Say So Much) was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
54 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 23 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.
PH 712 A//2▽420 C 11 1 timtom.cbsRunout stamped/etched side A, variant 1
PH 712 B//1▽420 C 11 1 TyRunout stamped/etched side B, variant 1
PH 712 A//2▽420 C 11 2 timtom.cbsRunout stamped/etched side A, variant 2
PH 712 B//1▽420 C 11 4 TyRunout stamped/etched side B, variant 2
PH 7 A // 1 ▽ 420 C 1 1 2 timtom - cbsRunout, A-side, stamped/etched variant 1
PH 7 B // 2 ▽ 420 C 1 1 TYRunout, B-side, stamped/etched variant 1
PH 7 A // 1 ▽ 420 C timtom-cbsRunout, A-side, stamped/etched variant 2
PH 7 B // 1 ▽ 420 C TYRunout, B-side, stamped/etched variant 2
PH 7 A4 X TimTom MPORunout side A, etched, variant 1
PH 7 B1 X MPORunout side B, etched, variant 1
PH 7. A1 TimTom MPORunout side A, etched, variant 2
PH 7 B1 TY MPORunout side B, etched, variant 2
MPO PH7 A1TimtomA side (etched)
MPO PH7 B1B side (etched)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | The Rocket Record Company 822 087-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | The Rocket Record Company 822 087-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | The Rocket Record Company 822 087-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | The Rocket Record Company 884 300-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Bolivia | The Rocket Record Company HL/RRBS - 32 - 7First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Brazil | The Rocket Record Company 822 087-7First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 92927First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 92927First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Geffen Records GS 45213First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | France | The Rocket Record Company 822 087-7First year7" | 7" |
| 1984 | France | The Rocket Record Company 822 087-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | France | The Rocket Record Company 822 087-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 822 087-7 / The Rocket Record Company 822 087-7 QFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 822 087-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 822 087-1First year12", Maxi-Single, White Label | 12", Maxi-Single, White Label |
54 vinyl pressings of Sad Songs (Say So Much) are listed here, from 23 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Ireland, Japan and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company PH 712.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PH 712, PH 7, PHPIC 7, 7-29292) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PH 712 A//2▽420 C 11 1 timtom.cbs and PH 712 B//1▽420 C 11 1 Ty. 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.
