UK
May 1986- Label and catalog number
- EMI 12 EMI 5559
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
(Side A): 12 EMI 5559 A-1-1-1-1 D
(Side B): 12 EMI 5559 B-1-1-1-1 D
Vinyl pressings
Time
by Freddie Mercury · 1986
16 pressings9 countriesPop RockMusicalRockStage & Screen
Time was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Time
15 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 9 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.
UK
1986- Label and catalog number
- EMI EMI 5559
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
EMI 5559 A-1-1-1- x 1Runout (Stamped) Side A
EMI 5559 B-1-1-1- 2Runout (Stamped) Side B
EMI 5559 ASide A label
EMI 5559 BSide B label
UK
1986- Label and catalog number
- EMI EMI 5559
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Card Sleeve
- Runout / matrix
EMI 5559 A-1-1-1- x 1 DRunout (stamped) side A variant 1
EMI 5559 B-1-1-1- 2 DRunout (stamped) side B variant 1
EMI 5559 A-1-1-1-1 DRunout (stamped) side A variant 2
EMI 5559 B-1-1-1-1 DRunout (stamped) side B variant 2
UK
1986- Label and catalog number
- EMI 5559
- Format
- 7", Single
- Runout / matrix
EMI 5559 A-1-1-2-23Runout Side A (stamped)
EMI 5559 B-1-1-2-CRunout Side B (stamped)
EMI 5559 A-1-1-2-28 DRunout Side A (stamped)
EMI 5559 B-1-1-2-22 DRunout Side B (stamped)
Argentina
1986- Label and catalog number
- EMI 81 2012566
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
12 Emi 5559.ASide A (Hand etched)
12 Emi 5559.BSide B (Hand etched)
Australia
1986- Label and catalog number
- EMI EMI.1771
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM
- Runout / matrix
EMI 1771 A DSide A (Hand etched)
EMI 1771 BSide B (Hand etched)
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 16 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s15 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Argentina | EMI 81 2012566First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Argentina | EMI 81 2012566First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI EMI.1771First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | EMI GOOD 126First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 1C K 060 20 1256 6 / EMI 1C K 060-20 1256 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 1A 006-20 1257 7 / EMI 20 1257 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 1 C 006 20 1257 7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Ireland | EMI EMI 5559First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | New Zealand | EMI EMI.5559First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Philippines | EMI EMI 5559First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | South Korea | Oasis Records OLE-647First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | EMI EMI 5559First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | EMI EMI 5559First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | EMI 5559First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | UK | EMI 12 EMI 5559First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
2010s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe | Mercury 00602508059971 / Universal Music Group International 08059977", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
Tracklist
- ATime
- BTime (Instrumental Version)
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Time are there?
16 vinyl pressings of Time are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1986 and 2019.
When was Time first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, Argentina, Australia, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is EMI 12 EMI 5559, released May 1986.
How do I tell if my copy of Time is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12 EMI 5559, EMI 5559, 5559, 81 2012566) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, (Side A): 12 EMI 5559 A-1-1-1-1 D and (Side B): 12 EMI 5559 B-1-1-1-1 D. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Time on vinyl worth?
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.
