Vinyl pressings
by Queen · 1980
Play The Game was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
45 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 24 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 5076 A-4 3 2 6 NICK WVariant 1 - A-side - stamped/etched
EMI 5076 B-2 1 2 8Variant 1 - B-side - stamped
EMI 5076 A-4 3 2 7 NICK WVariant 2 - A-side - stamped/etched
EMI 5076 B-2 1 7Variant 2 - B-side - stamped
EMI 5076 A-4Side A, stamped
NICK WSide A, etched
EMI 5076 B-2Side B, stamped
EMI 5076 A-4 NICK WRunout side A, stamped, Nick W is etched
EMI 5076 B-2Runout side B, stamped
EMI 5076 A-4 NICK WRunout side A, stamped, Nick W is etched
EMI 5076 B-2Runout side B, stamped
(Label Side A): EMI 5076A
(Label Side B): EMI 5076B
(Variant 1 - A-side - stamped/etched): EMI 5067 A-1 ERICA
(Variant 1 - B-side - stamped): EMI 5076 B-2 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | EMI 1739 / EMI 5076First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Argentina | EMI EMI 5076First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Australia | Elektra E 46652First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Barbados | EMI EMI 5076First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Bolivia | EMI International BO - 1286First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Brazil | EMI 31C 006 63890First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | Elektra E-46652First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | Elektra E-46652First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | France | EMI 2C 008 63890 / EMI 2C 008-63.890First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | EMI JBPAT 600.242First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | EMI 2C 008 638907", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | France | EMI SP 1112First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-63 890 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-63 890First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-63 890 / EMI 1 C 006-63 890First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Guatemala | EMI EMI 5076First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | EMI 31C 006 638907", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | EMI 1C 006-63 890 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-63 8907", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
49 vinyl pressings of Play The Game are listed here, from 24 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Netherlands, Japan and more. One of them is EMI EMI 5076, released May 30, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 5076, E-46652, E 46652, 1A 006-63890) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 5076 A-4 3 2 6 NICK W and EMI 5076 B-2 1 2 8. 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.
