Vinyl pressings
by Queen · 1983
Radio Ga Ga was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year. 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.
QUEEN-1-A-1U-1-1-1. STERLINGSide A runout
LPFB /FB 7Side B runout
Queen-1-B-2U-1-1-1. STERLINGSide C runout
LPFB /FB7Side D runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | UK | EMI EMI 5342First year7", Single Sided | 7", Single Sided |
| 1983 | UK | EMI QUEEN 1First year7", 45 RPM, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1984 | Argentina | EMI 18607", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Argentina | EMI 18607", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | EMI ED-7312", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Australia | EMI EMI 11847", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Australia | EMI EMI 11847", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Australia | EMI EMI 11847", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | EMI ED-7312", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | EMI EMI 11847", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Barbados | EMI QUEEN 17", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Brazil | EMI 31C 006 655327", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Canada | Capitol Records V-7505412", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Capitol Records B-53177", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Ecuador | EMI 803-000712", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | EMI 1C 006 16553277", EP, Single, Stereo | 7", EP, Single, Stereo |
| ? | Zimbabwe | EMI 12 QUEEN 112", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
79 vinyl pressings of Radio Ga Ga are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK. One of them is EMI QUEEN 1, released November 28, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use QUEEN 1, EMI 5342) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, QUEEN-1-A-1U-1-1-1. STERLING and LPFB /FB 7. 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.
