Vinyl pressings
by Queen · 1986
Friends Will Be Friends 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.
31 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 16 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.
D 12QUEEN 8 A-1U-1-2- TOWNHOUSE KEV DMMSide A (Variant 1)
D 12QUEEN 8 B-1U-1-1-Side B (Variant 1)
D 12 QUEEN 8 A-1U-1-2-x1 TOWNHOUSE KEV DMMSide A (Variant 2) all stamped except TOWNHOUSE KEV DMM
D 12 QUEEN 8 B-1U-1-2-x1Side B (Variant 2) stamped
QUEEN 8 A-1U-1-2- 2 D TOWNHOUSE KEV DMMA-side runout, variant 1
QUEEN 8 B-1U-1-2- 2B-side runout, variant 1
QUEEN 8 A-2U-1-2-1-1 D TOWNHOUSE KEV DMMA-side runout, variant 2
QUEEN 8 B-2U-1-1-1 DB-side runout, variant 2
QUEEN+P+8+ARunout Side A
QUEEN+P+8+BRunout Side B
QUEEN 8 A-2U-1-1-X1A-side, stamped, variant
QUEEN 8 B-2U-1-1-X1B-side, stamped, variant
TOWNHOUSE KEV DMMA-side, etched
QUEEN 8AA-side center label
QUEEN 8 A-2U-1-2-1 TOWNHOUSE KEV DMMA-side runout, variant 1
QUEEN 8 B-2U-1-1-1B-side runout, variant 1
QUEEN 8 A-1U-1-2- 3 D TOWNHOUSE KEV DMMA-side runout, variant 2
QUEEN 8 B-1U-1-1- 3B-side runout, variant 2
EMI 1786A CDA Side Stamped
EMI 1786B CDB Side Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Argentina | EMI DIF 424First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI EMI 1786First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI ED.209 / EMI ED-209First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI EMI 1786First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI ED-209First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Barbados | EMI Queen 8First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Brazil | EMI 31C 052 201375ZFirst year12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1986 | Ecuador | EMI 103-0277First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Ecuador | EMI 103-0277First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 1A 006-20 1308 7 / EMI 006-20 1308 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Germany | EMI 1C K 060-20 1310 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-20 1308 7 / EMI 1C 006 20 1308 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | EMI QUEEN 87", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | Ireland | EMI QUEEN 8First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Italy | EMI 06 2013087First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
32 vinyl pressings of Friends Will Be Friends are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, Australia, Barbados, Brazil and more. One of them is EMI 12QUEEN 8, released June 9, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12QUEEN 8, QUEEN 8, QUEEN P8, EMI 1786) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, D 12QUEEN 8 A-1U-1-2- TOWNHOUSE KEV DMM and D 12QUEEN 8 B-1U-1-1-. 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.
