Vinyl pressings
by Freddie Mercury · 1985
Mr. Bad Guy was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
41 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 26 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.
CBS. 86312 - A1 DSide A runout, variant 1
CBS. 86312. B1 ⋀Side B runout, variant 1
CBS. 86312 - A2Side A runout, variant 2
CBS. 86312 - B1Side B runout, variant 2
CBS 86312-A1Side A hand etched
CBS 86312-B1Side B hand etched
CBS 86312 ASide A Label
CBS 86312 BSide B Label
CBS. 86312 - A1Side A runout, etched
CBS. 86312. B1Side B runout, etched
⋀ 2Side A runout, stamped
⋀ 2Side B runout, stamped
AL 40071-1R (TR) GVariant 1 runout side A
BL 40071-1E G1Variant 1 runout side B
AL-40071-ITVariant 2 runout side A
BL-40071-1BVariant 2 runout side B
P- AP AL-40071-IT+Side A Runout Etched
P AP BL-40071-1B [STERLING]Side B Runout Etched [Stamped]
AL 40071Side A Label
BL 40071Side B Label
AL-40071-1A-2HZ: DM-9Side A etched
BL-40071-1A-2HZ: DM-7Side B etched
AL 40071Side A label
BL 40071Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | Columbia 20632 / CBS 20.632First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Argentina | Columbia 20632 / Discos CBS 20.632First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | CBS SBP 8063First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Australia | CBS SBP 8063First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Brazil | Discos CBS 138.623 / Discos CBS 138623First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Colombia | CBS 141812First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Costa Rica | CBS 1100882First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 86312 / CBS 86312First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 450451 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 86312 / CBS 86312First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBSCL 42 669 2 / CBS CBS 86312LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBSCL 32 309-7 / CBS CBS 86312LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 450451 1 / CBS CBS 86312 (FC 40071)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 86312 / CBS FC 40071First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBSCL 42 669 2 / CBS CBS 86312LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Russia | Santa Records П93-00635.36LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | US | Hollywood Records D003241901LP, Album, Reissue, Special Edition | LP, Album, Reissue, Special Edition |
| 2019 | Europe | Mercury 0602577404214 / Universal Music Group International 0602577404214LP, Album, Reissue, Special Edition, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Special Edition, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Europe | Universal 00602475946434LP, Album, Reissue, Special Edition, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Special Edition, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Europe | Universal 00602478170553LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue, Special Edition, Stereo · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue, Special Edition, Stereo · Picture disc |
| 2025 | US | Universal D004807101LP, Album, Reissue, Special Edition, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Special Edition, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Japan | Universal UIJY-75357LP, Album, Limited Edition, Special Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Special Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Japan | Universal Music AB, Japan PDJT-1057LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 86312LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | CBS CBS 4504511LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Greece | CBS 4504511LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Spain | CBS S 86312LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | Columbia FC 40071LP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc |
| ? | US | Columbia FC 40071LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
61 vinyl pressings of Mr. Bad Guy are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1985 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Canada, New Zealand and more. One of them is CBS CBS 86312, released April 29, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CBS 86312, FC 40071, SBP 8063, 28AP 3030) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CBS. 86312 - A1 D and CBS. 86312. B1 ⋀. 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.
