Vinyl pressings
by Julie Covington · 1976
Don't Cry For Me Argentina 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.
29 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 11 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.
MCA 260 A-3U RGA BILBO 5Runout stamped/etched side A
MCA 260 B-1U RAR DB - MASTER ROOM 3Runout stamped/etched side B
MCA 260ASide A label
MCA 260BSide B label
MCA 260 A-3U IV Made in Germany BILBO O2OVariant 1 A side
MCA 260 B-1U DB - MASTER ROOM. Made in Germany O2OVariant 1 B side
MCA 260 A-3U 6 BILBOVariant 2 A Side. Cat. stamped, rest etched.
MCA 260 B-1U DB - MASTER ROOM. 5Variant 2 B Side. Cat. stamped, rest etched.
MCA 260 A-3U GDG BILBO 2Side A runout variant 1
MCA 260 B-1U GHT DB - MASTER ROOM 4Side B runout variant 1
MCA 260 A-3U AD BILBO 2Side A runout variant 2
MCA 260 B-1U AA DB - MASTER ROOM 1Side B runout variant 2
MCA 260 A-3U II Made in Germany BILBO 020Side A runout
MCA 260 B-1U IV DB - MASTER ROOM. Made in Germany 020Side B runout
MCA 260ASide A label
MCA 260BSide B label
MCA 260 A-3U MADE IN GERMANYSide A runout, stamped
MCA 260 B-1U MADE IN GERMANYSide B runout, stamped
IV (IV in Roman Numaral) BILBO 020Side A runout, etched
III (III in Roman numeral) DB-MASTER ROOM. 020Side B runout, etched
MCA 260A 45Label A
MCA 260B 45Label B
MCA 260 A2 D BILBO TA1PEDeadwax A
MCA 260 B1 D BILBODeadwax 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 | Australia | MCA Records MCA-1513First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Belgium | MCA Records 4C 006-98665 / MCA Records 4C 006 98665First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Belgium | MCA Records 4C 006-98665 / MCA Records 4C 006 98665First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Canada | MCA Records 7-259661First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 40648First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 40648First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | France | MCA Records 110.078 / MCA Records 110 078First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | France | MCA Records 110 078First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | France | MCA Records 110.078 / MCA Records 110 078First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Ireland | MCA Records MCA 260First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Ireland | MCA Records MCA 260First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Italy | MCA Records MCAN 40648First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | New Zealand | MCA Records MCA 40648First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Rhodesia | Gallo PD 1355First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | Rhodesia | Gallo PD 1355First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Germany | MCA Records 101 370 / MCA Records 101 370-1007", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | MCA Records MCA 2607", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | MCA Records MCA-15137", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | MCA Records 7-2596617", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | MCA Records 19597", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| ? | New Zealand | MCA Records MCA 406487", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCA 2607", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCA 2607", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCA 2607", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCA 2607", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-15137", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
53 vinyl pressings of Don't Cry For Me Argentina are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1976 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA 260.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA 260, MCA 98665, MCA 40648, 1959) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 260 A-3U RGA BILBO 5 and MCA 260 B-1U RAR DB - MASTER ROOM 3. 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.
