Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1970
Your Song / Take Me To The Pilot was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 4 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.
.535-T2 2ᴵᴵᴵRun-out Side A, etched
.534-T2 2 ᴵᴵRun-out Side B, etched
2Run-out both sides, etched
.534-T1 2 ᴵ ᴵRun-out Side A, etched
534-75 MR ∆82825Runout side A, etched
535-75 MR ∆82825-XRunout side B, etched
(.534)Side A label
(.535)Side B label
535-T1Scribed in runout, side A
534-T2Scribed in runout, side B
UNI - .535-T4Scribed in runout, side A, variant 1
UNI - .534-T4Scribed in runout, side B, variant 1
535-T1Side A runout
534-T2Side B runout
535-T6 Δ82825-XScribed in runout, side A
534-T6 Δ82825Scribed in runout, side B
(.535)Label A
(.534)Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Canada | Uni Records 55265First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Canada | Uni Records 55265First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Japan | DJM Records FR-2705First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1970 | Japan | DJM Records FR-2705First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | Norway | DJM Records DJS 233First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | US | Uni Records 55265First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | US | Uni Records 55265First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Uni Records 55265First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | US | Uni Records 55265First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1970 | US | Uni Records 55265First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Australia | DJM Records DJK-41077", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Australia | DJM Records DJK-41077", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Australia | DJM Records DJK-41077", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | France | DJM Records 17 5677", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | France | DJM Records 17 5677", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 600477", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-600477", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | MCA Records MCAS-0397", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| ? | Singapore & Malaysia | MCA Records 7-1737", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-600477", 45 RPM, Reissue, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Single |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-600477", 45 RPM, Reissue, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Single |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-600477", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-600477", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
36 vinyl pressings of Your Song / Take Me To The Pilot are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1970 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Canada, Japan, Norway. One of them is Uni Records 55265, released October 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 55265, FR-2705, DJS 233) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, .535-T2 2ᴵᴵᴵ and .534-T2 2 ᴵᴵ. 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.
