Vinyl pressings
by Queen · 1981
Under Pressure was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
57 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 27 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 5250 A-1 MJ-PENTHOUSERunout A-side variant 1
EMI 5250 B-2Runout B-side variant 1
EMI 5250 A-2 MJ-PENTHOUSERunout A-side variant 2
EMI 5250 B-3Runout B-side variant 2
EMI 5250 A-1 MJ-PENTHOUSEVariant 1 - A-side runout
EMI 5250 B-2Variant 1 - B-side runout
EMI 5250 A-2 MJ-PENTHOUSEVariant 2 - A-side runout
EMI 5250 B-3Variant 2 - B-side runout
EMI 5250 A-3 MJ-PENTHOUSERunout A-side
EMI 5250 B-3Runout B-side
EMI 5250ALabel A
EMI 5250BLabel B
EMI 5250 A-2 MJ-PENTHOUSESide A (Variant 1)
EMI 5250 B-1Side B (Variant 1)
EMI 5250 A-1 MJ-PENTHOUSE C1Side A (Variant 2)
EMI 5250 B-1 C⇂Side B (Variant 2)
EMI 5250 A-2 MJ-PENTHOUSESide A Runout, Variant 1
EMI 5250 B-1Side B Runout, Variant 1
EMI 5250 A-2 MJ-PENTHOUSE 9 2Side A Runout, Variant 2
EMI 5250 B-1 6 3Side B Runout, Variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | EMI EMI 5250First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Argentina | EMI 1809 / EMI 5250First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Elektra E 47235First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1981 | Bolivia | EMI International BO-1354First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Brazil | EMI 31C 006 64626First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Brazil | EMI 31C 006 64626First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra E 47235 / Elektra E 47235 QFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra E 47235 QFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra E 47235First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra E 47235First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra E 47235First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra E 47235First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra E 47235First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Chile | EMI 1639 / EMI 32C 006-064626First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Chile | EMI 1639 / EMI 32C 006-064626First year7", Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | EMI EMI 52507", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
64 vinyl pressings of Under Pressure are listed here, from 29 countries, released between 1981 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Australia, New Zealand and more. One of them is EMI EMI 5250, released October 26, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 5250, E-47235, E 47235, 446-1097) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 5250 A-1 MJ-PENTHOUSE and EMI 5250 B-2. 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.
