Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1976
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
43 pressings came out in 1976, 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.
ROKN 517 A 5U ARUNRunout, A-side stamped & etched
ROKN 517 B-2URunout, B-side stamped
(ROKN.517A)A-side label
(ROKN.517B)B-side label
ROKN 517 A-6U ARUNA-side runout, variant 1
ROKN 517 B-2UB-side runout, variant 1
ROKN 517 A-5U MD ARUN 2A-side runout, variant 2
ROKN 517 B-2U RMB-side runout, variant 2
ROKN 517 A 5URunout, A-side stamped & etched
ROKN 517 B-2URunout, B-side stamped
1 GA-side label
1 GB-side label
MC5110A-Side Matrix
MC5640B-Side Matrix
MC5110 W3 ◈-P-◈A-Side Runout (etched)
MC5640 W3 ◈-P-◈B-Side Runout (etched)
MC 5110 W5 IRunout A
MC 5640 ⧈-G-⧈Runout B
MC5110Label A
MC5640Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Argentina | The Rocket Record Company 1469First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Argentina | The Rocket Record Company 1469First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Australia | The Rocket Record Company ROKN-11313 / The Rocket Record Company ROKN.11313First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Australia | The Rocket Record Company ROKN-11313First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1976 | Australia | The Rocket Record Company ROKN-11313 / The Rocket Record Company ROKN.11313First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Barbados | EMI ROKN 517First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Belgium | The Rocket Record Company 4C 006-98364First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Bolivia | EMI International BO - 1189First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Brazil | The Rocket Record Company RO43002 / The Rocket Record Company RO-43002First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-40645 / The Rocket Record Company MCA-40645First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-40645First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | Chile | The Rocket Record Company 1235 / The Rocket Record Company ROKN517First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Chile | The Rocket Record Company 1235 / The Rocket Record Company ROKN517First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | France | The Rocket Record Company 2C 006-98364First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | France | The Rocket Record Company 2C 006-98364 / Pathé Marconi EMI 2C 006 - 98.364First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-406457", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-406457", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Guatemala | The Rocket Record Company 42757", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Panama | The Rocket Record Company 42757", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
52 vinyl pressings of Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1976 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company ROKN 517.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ROKN 517, ROKN517, MCA-40645, MCA 40645) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ROKN 517 A 5U ARUN and ROKN 517 B-2U. 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.
