Vinyl pressings
by Queen · 1979
Crazy Little Thing Called Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
64 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 27 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 5001 A -2 Nick WRunout side A, variant 1
EMI 5001 B -1U STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
EMI 5001 A - 1 G D 1 Nick WRunout side A, variant 2
EMI 5001 B -1U STERLINGRunout side B, variant 2
NICK WEtched runout, side A. All variants
EMI 5001 A-2 RLG VStamped runout, side A. Variant 1
EMI 5001 B-1U GLA STERLING 4Stamped runout, side B. Variant 1
EMI 5001 A-2 ADD VStamped runout, side A. Variant 2
EMI 5001 A-2 GGO 2Side A stamped
NICK WSide A etched
EMI 5001 B-1U AH 2 STERLINGSide B stamped
EMI 5001 A-1Side A
EMI 5001 B-1USide B
E-46579-A (AR)A Side Label
E-46579-B (AR)B Side Label
ES 46579 A-1 AR R-5108A side runout, etched
ES 46579 B-2 AR R-5137B side runout, etched
E-46579-A (AR)A side label
E-46579-B (AR)B side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | EMI 1714 / EMI (24-4)First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Argentina | EMI 1714First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Argentina | EMI 1714First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Barbados | EMI 5001First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Brazil | EMI 31C 006-63317 / EMI 31C 006 63317First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Elektra E 46579First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Elektra E 46579First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Elektra E 46579First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | Elektra E 46579First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Chile | EMI 1526First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Colombia | EMI 446-1032First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Colombia | EMI 446-1032First year12", Single · Colored vinyl | 12", Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | Colombia | EMI 446-1032First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | Colombia | EMI 446-1032First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | France | EMI 2C 008 63317 / EMI 2C 008-63.317First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Bolivia | EMI International BO - 12687", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Colombia | EMI 446-103212", Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl | 12", Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | Colombia | EMI 446-103212", Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl | 12", Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | Ecuador | EMI 103-0165 / EMI EMI-50017", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Ecuador | EMI 103-01657", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Venezuela | Harvest 12-HAR-71512", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Venezuela | Harvest 12-HAR-71512", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Australia | Elektra E 465797", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Yugoslavia | EMI EMI 5001 / Jugoton SEMI 890047", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Yugoslavia | EMI EMI 5001 / Jugoton SEMI 890047", Single, Misprint | 7", Single, Misprint |
| 1980 | Mexico | EMI 8338 / EMI 33C 006-633177", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Mexico | EMI 33C 006-633177", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Germany | EMI 060-20 31446 / EMI Electrola GmbH 060-20 3144612", Maxi-Single, Reissue | 12", Maxi-Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Elektra GS 455287", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| ? | Canada | Elektra GS 455287", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Europe | EMI 006-20 3144 77", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
81 vinyl pressings of Crazy Little Thing Called Love are listed here, from 33 countries, released between 1979 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Italy, Japan and more. One of them is EMI EMI 5001, released October 5, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 5001, E-46579, 3C 006-63317, P-529E) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 5001 A -2 Nick W and EMI 5001 B -1U 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.
