Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1973
Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
35 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
DJX 502 A1 PLENTY HEFT!Runout Groove Side A
DJX 502 B1 RAYSRunout Groove Side B
DJX.502-ALabel Side A
DJX.502-BLabel Side B
DJX 502 A1 PLENTY HEFT!Runout Groove Side A
DJX 502 B1 RAYSRunout Groove Side B
DJX.502-ALabel Side A
DJX.502BLabel Side B
DJX 502 A1 PLENTY HEFT!Runout side A
DJX 502 B1 RAYSRunout side B
DJX.502-ALabel Side A
DJX.502-BLabel Side B
DJX 502 A1 PLENTY HEFT!Runout side A
DJX 502 B1 RAYSRunout side B
DJX.502-ALabel Side A
DJX.502-BLabel Side B
DJX 501 AIRunout Groove Side A
DJX 501 BIRunout Groove Side B
DJX.502ALabel Side A
DJX.502BLabel Side B
DJX 502 A 6 P73 F 710Runout side A, stamped
DJX 502 B 6 P73 F 710Runout side B, stamped
DJX 502-ALabel side A
DJX 502-BLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Angola | DJM Records DJS 334First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Australia | DJM Records DJK-5178First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Austria | DJM Records 12 901 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 40105First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 40105First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | France | DJM Records DJM 17614First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | DJM Records 12 901 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | DJM Records 129017", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1973 | Greece | Columbia SCMG 528First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Ireland | DJM Records DJS 502First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Japan | DJM Records IFR-10408 / DJM Records DJX 502First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Japan | DJM Records IFR-10408 / DJM Records DJX 502First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Lebanon | Columbia SCRL 149 / Columbia DJX 502First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Netherlands | DJM Records 6102 322First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | New Zealand | DJM Records DJK 5178First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 401057", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-401057", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-401057", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Angola | DJM Records BE 016 946807", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Poland | Agencja Wydawnicza RSW R-0469Flexi-disc, 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Picture Disc · Picture disc | Flexi-disc, 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
45 vinyl pressings of Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1973 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Canada, Angola and more. One of them is DJM Records DJX 502, released June 29, 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DJX 502, DJX.502, MCA-40105, MCA 40105) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DJX 502 A1 PLENTY HEFT! and DJX 502 B1 RAYS. 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.
