Vinyl pressings
by Queen · 1980
Save Me 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.
38 pressings came out in 1980, 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 5022 A-10U STERLINGRunout Grooves A-Side
EMI 5022 B-2 NICK WRunout Grooves B-Side
EMI 5022A 45Centre Label A-Side
EMI 5022B 45Centre Label B-Side
EMI 5022 A-2U STRAWBERRYRunout Grooves A-Side, variant 1
EMI 5022 B-2 NICK WRunout Grooves B-Side, variant 1
EMI 5022 A-3U STRAWBERRYRunout Grooves A-Side, variant 2
EMI 5022 B-2 NICK WRunout Grooves B-Side, variant 2
EMI 5022 A - 3U STRAWBERRYRunout, A-Side, stamped. Variant 1
EMI 5022 B-2Runout, B-Side, stamped. Variant 1
NICK WRunout, B-Side, etched. Variant 1
EMI 5022 A-2U G STRAWBERRY 1Side A runout stamped variant 2
EMI 5022 A - 10U 0 0 STERLINGRunout Grooves A-Side
EMI 5022 B - 2 7 7 NICK WRunout Grooves B-Side
EMI 5022A 45Centre Label A-Side
EMI 5022B 45Centre Label B-Side
EMI 5022 A-2U STRAWBERRYRunout Grooves A-Side, variant 1
EMI 5022 B-2 NICK WRunout Grooves B-Side, variant 1
EMI 5022 A-3U STRAWBERRYRunout Grooves A-Side, variant 2
EMI 5022 B-2 NICK WRunout Grooves B-Side, variant 2
EMI 5022 A-2U STRAWBERRYRunout Grooves A-Side
EMI 5022 B-2 NICK WRunout Grooves B-Side
EMI 5022A 45Centre Label A-Side
EMI 5022B 45Centre Label B-Side
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 | Australia | Elektra EF 90200First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Brazil | EMI 31C 006 63566First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | Elektra EF 90200First year7" | 7" |
| 1980 | Canada | Elektra EF 90200First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Canada | Elektra EF 90200First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Canada | Elektra EF 90200First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Chile | EMI 1538 / EMI 32c 006-063.566First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Chile | EMI 1538 / EMI 32C 006-063.566First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | EMI 2C 008-63566 / EMI 2C 008-63.566First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | France | EMI 2C 008-63566 / EMI 2C 008-63.566First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI 1 C 006-63 566 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-63 566First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Guatemala | EMI 4524First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Italy | EMI 3C 006-65566First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Japan | Elektra P-550EFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 006-63566First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Elektra EF 902007", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
39 vinyl pressings of Save Me are listed here, from 21 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Ireland, Mexico, Japan and more. One of them is EMI EMI5022, released January 25, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI5022, EMI 5022, 33C 006-63566, P-550E) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 5022 A-10U STERLING and EMI 5022 B-2 NICK W. 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.
