Vinyl pressings
by Queen · 1984
Thank God It's Christmas was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 13 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.
12 QUEEN 5 A-2-1-2 DRunout Side A, Variant 1
12 QUEEN 5 B-3-1-1-14 DRunout Side B, Variant 1
12 QUEEN 5 A-2-1-1-1 DRunout Side A, Variant 2
12 QUEEN 5 B-3-1-1-1 DRunout Side B, Variant 2
QUEEN 5 A - 2 - 1 - 7 - 4Runout, A-side, stamped. Var. 1
QUEEN 5 B - 2 - 1 - 1 - x1Runout, B-side, stamped. Var. 1
QUEEN 5 A-3-1-1- x 1Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 2
QUEEN 5 B-3-1-2- x 1Runout, B-side, stamped, variant 2
QUEEN 5 A-2-1-Q4-6side A
QUEEN 5 B-2-1-Q3-7side B
QUEEN 5 A - 2 - 1 - 6 - 5Runout, A-side, stamped
QUEEN 5 B - 2 - 1 - 1 - x1Runout, B-side, stamped
QUEEN DJ 5AA-1-1-1Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 4
QUEEN DJ 5A-1-1-1-X1Side B runout, stamped, variant 4
NICKZSide A & B runout, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | EMI EMI-1412First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Australia | EMI EMI-1412First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Capitol Records V-75087 / Capitol Records 12 Queen 5First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI 1A 016-20 0434 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI 1A K060-20 0440 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI 1A K060-20 0440 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Mispress, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Mispress, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | EMI 1A 016-2004347First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Italy | EMI 06 2004347First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Portugal | EMI 2004347First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Portugal | EMI 2004347First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | South Africa | EMI 12EMIL(C) 4503First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | South Africa | EMI EMIJ 4503First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | EMI QUEEN 5First year5", 45 RPM, Single | 5", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | US | Capitol Records V-8622First year12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1984 | US | Capitol Records V-8622First year12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Israel | Dopey Records D12-198612", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Limited Edition, Numbered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Numbered | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Limited Edition, Numbered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Numbered |
24 vinyl pressings of Thank God It's Christmas are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1984 and 1993.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Brazil, Ireland and more. One of them is EMI 12 QUEEN 5, released November 26, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12 QUEEN 5, QUEEN 5, V-8622, 31C 006 200434) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12 QUEEN 5 A-2-1-2 D and 12 QUEEN 5 B-3-1-1-14 D. 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.
