Vinyl pressings
by Queen · 1978
Bicycle Race / Fat Bottomed Girls was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
40 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 21 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.
EMI-2870-A-1U RTB STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
EMI-2870-B-6U RTB STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
EMI-2870-A-5U RTB STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
EMI-2870-A-3U D P RTB STERLINGRunout side A, variant 3
EMI-2870-A-1U RTB STERLING E̷-̷4̷5̷5̷4̷1̷-̷X̷-̷H̷R̷Runout side A, variant 1
EMI-2870-B-6U RTB STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
EMI-2870-A-5U RTB STERLING VII 1Runout side A, variant 2
EMI-2870-B-6U RTB STERLING GP 1Runout side B, variant 2
EMI-2870-A-1U RTB STERLING E̷-̷4̷5̷5̷4̷1̷-̷X̷-̷H̷R̷Runout Side A, etched/stamped/crossed out
EMI-2870-B-6U RTB STERLINGRunout Side B, etched/stamped
EMI 2870ALabel Side A
EMI 2870BLabel Side B
EMI-2870-A-1U RTB STERLINGRunout Side A, Variant 1
EMI-2870-B-6U RTB STERLINGRunout Side B, Variant 1
EMI-2870-A-5U RTB STERLINGRunout Side A, Variant 2
EMI-2870-B-6U RTB STERLINGRunout Side A, Variant 2
UP 36422 A-1USide A runout
EMI 2870ASide A label
EMI 2870BSide B label
E-45541-X-2-PRC-II-III RTB sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ ᴘʀᴄVariant 1, Run-out Side A
E-45541-Y-2-PRC-II-I RTB sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢVariant 1, Run-out Side B
E-45541-X-2-PRC-II-II RTB STERLING PRCVariant 2, Run-out Side A
E-45541-Y-2-PRC-II-II RTB STERLINGVariant 2, Run-out Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Argentina | EMI EMI 2870First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Argentina | EMI EMI 2870First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Belgium | EMI Belgium 4C 006-61 846 / EMI Belgium 4C 006-61846First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | Brazil | EMI 31C 006 61846First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | Canada | Elektra E45541First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Elektra E45541First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Chile | EMI 1468First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Chile | EMI 1498First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | France | EMI 2C 008-61846 / Pathé Marconi EMI 2C 008-61846First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | France | EMI 2C 008-61846 / EMI 2C 008-61.846First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | France | EMI 2C 008-61846 / EMI 2C 008 - 61.846First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | EMI 2C 008 618467", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | France | EMI 2C 008-61.846First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-61 846 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-61 846First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | EMI EMI 61846First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
45 vinyl pressings of Bicycle Race / Fat Bottomed Girls are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Australia, Japan and more. One of them is EMI EMI 2870, released October 13, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 2870, E-45541, AS-11401, E-45541-X) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI-2870-A-1U RTB STERLING and EMI-2870-B-6U RTB STERLING. 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.
