Vinyl pressings
by Peter Sellers · 1965
A Hard Day's Night was first pressed on vinyl in 1965. 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 1965, the album's first year, in 7 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.
KT 2 7XCE 18345-1Side A, variant 1
KT 4 7XCE 18346-2Side B, variant 1
KT 1 7XCE 18345-1 M GSide A, variant 2, stamped
KT 1 7XCE 18346-2 G RSide B, variant 2, stamped
KT 2 7XCE 18345-1
KT 4 7XCE 18346-1
45-45402-F-1Etched Side A
45-45403-F-1Etched Side B
45-X45402Label Side A
45-X45403Label Side B
45-45402-P1Etched Side A
45-45403-P1Etched Side B
45-X45402Label Side A
45-X45403Label Side B
A SIDE 7 XCE 18345
B SIDE 7 XCE 18346
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Netherlands | Parlophone R 5393First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1965 | Netherlands | Parlophone R 5393First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | New Zealand | Parlophone NZP 3196First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1965 | Norway | Parlophone R 5393First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | South Africa | Parlophone 45-SPD 375First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | US | Capitol Records 5580First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1965 | US | Capitol Records 5580First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1965 | Australia | Parlophone A 8184First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | UK | Parlophone R 5393First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | UK | Parlophone R 5393First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1966 | Canada | Capitol Records 723307", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Netherlands | Parlophone 1A 006-074677", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1984 | UK | Parlophone R5393 / Parlophone R 53937", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
13 vinyl pressings of A Hard Day's Night are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1965 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in UK, US, Australia, Netherlands and more. One of them is Parlophone R 5393, released December 3, 1965.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use R 5393, 5580, A 8184, NZP 3196) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, KT 2 7XCE 18345-1 and KT 4 7XCE 18346-2. 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.
