Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1978
Song For Guy was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 8 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.
XPRES 5 A // 2 E UT 12 1 YOU VANT TO STEP OUTSIDE ? ƱA side runout, variant 1
XPRES 5 B // 1 E UT 11 1B side runout, variant 1
XPRES 5 A //1 E UT 12 13 Ʊ YOU VANT TO STEP OUTSIDE ?Side A runout, variant 2
XPRES 5 B // 1 E UT 13 4 ƱSide B runout, variant 2
[E crossed thru] XPRES 5 A//4∇420 FRA 2 1-1 PRC JASide A runout
[E crossed thru] XPRES 5 B//2∇420 FRA 2-1-1 PRC JASide B runout
XPRES 5 A // 7 ▽ 420 FRA JAA-side runout, stamped/etched
XPRES 5 B // 6 ▽ 420 FRA JAB-side runout, stamped/etched
†XPRES 5.1†Label matrix, A-side
†XPRES 5.2†Label matrix, B-side
RK A EXPRES 5 A//6 420 C I D I S F̶R̶A̶R̶A̶C̶Side A, stamped
XPRES 5 B//4 420 C I D I S R̶C̶A̶Side B, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | The Rocket Record Company Train 6079 657First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Australia | The Rocket Record Company Train 6079 657First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Belgium | The Rocket Record Company 6079 655First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Belgium | The Rocket Record Company 6079 655First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Europe | The Rocket Record Company 6079 655First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1978 | Ireland | The Rocket Record Company XPRES5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Japan | The Rocket Record Company SFL-2384First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Japan | The Rocket Record Company SFL-2384First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | The Rocket Record Company 6079 655First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Netherlands | The Rocket Record Company 6079 655First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Rhodesia | Gallo PD1694First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | The Rocket Record Company XPRES 5.First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | The Rocket Record Company XPRES 5First year7", Single, Styrene | 7", Single, Styrene |
| 1978 | UK | The Rocket Record Company XPRES 5First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | UK | The Rocket Record Company XPRES 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
35 vinyl pressings of Song For Guy are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Australia, Belgium, Ireland and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company XPRES 5..
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use XPRES 5., XPRES 5, Train 6079 657, 6079 655) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XPRES 5 A // 2 E UT 12 1 YOU VANT TO STEP OUTSIDE ? Ʊ and XPRES 5 B // 1 E UT 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.
