Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1974
The Bitch Is Back was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1974, 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.
DJS 322 - A1 1 AQRunout side A, variant 1
DJS 322 B-1 1 AARunout side B, variant 1
DJS 322 - A1 1 ABRunout side A, variant 2
DJS 322 B-2 1 AWRunout side B, variant 2
DJS 322 - A1A Side Runout (etched)
DJS 322 - B2B Side Runout (etched)
DJS.322.AA Side Label
DJS.322.BB Side Label
DJS 322 - A1 R 1A Side Runout (etched)
DJS 322 - B2 X 1B Side Runout (etched)
DJS.322.AA Side Label
DJS.322.BB Side Label
DJS 322 - A1Etched side A
DJS 322 - B2Etched side B
DJS.322-ALabel side A
DJS.322-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | DJM Records K-5676First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Belgium | DJM Records 6119 053First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Belgium | DJM Records 6119 053First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 40297First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 40297First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | France | DJM Records DJM 17626First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Germany | DJM Records 13 577 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Greece | Columbia 2J 006 95896First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | India | His Master's Voice POPV 8103First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Italy | DJM Records SIR 20182First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | DJM Records IFR-10629First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Japan | DJM Records IFR-10629First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | DJM Records 6102 333First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | DJM Records K 5676First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Norway | DJM Records DJX 322First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA 402977", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Angola | DJM Records 8E 006-958967", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-402977", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
38 vinyl pressings of The Bitch Is Back are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1974 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, India, Australia and more. One of them is DJM Records DJS.322, released August 30, 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DJS.322, DJS 322, MCA-40297, POPV.8103) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DJS 322 - A1 1 AQ and DJS 322 B-1 1 AA. 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.
