Vinyl pressings
by Queen · 1977
We Are The Champions was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
51 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 23 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 2708 A-3 NICK WSide A runout, variant 1
EMI 2708 B-3Side B runout, variant 1
EMI 2708 A-3 NICK WSide A runout, variant 2
EMI 2708 B-4Side B runout, variant 2
EMI 2708 A-3 NICK WRunout A
EMI 2708 B-3Runout B
EMI 2708AA-side label
EMI 2708BB-side label
EMI 2708 A-4Side A runout, stamped
EMI 2708 B-3Side B runout, stamped
NICK WSide A runout, etched
EMI 2708AA-side label
EMI 2708 B-3Side A runout, stamped
EMI 2708 B-3Side B runout, stamped
EMI 2708 A-4Side A runout, stamped
EMI 2708 B-3Side B runout, stamped
NICK WSide A runout, etched
EMI 2708AA-side label
ES 45441 A-5 PRC 1-11 PRCSide A runout, etched, variant 1
ES 45441 PRC B2-1-119 PRCSide B runout, etched, variant 1
ES 45441 A-2 PRC 11-1 ESRTD 92377 PRCSide A runout, etched, variant 2
ES45441 PRC B2 1-11 ESRTD 92377Ⓣ PRCSide B runout, etched, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | EMI 1566First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Argentina | EMI 1566First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Australia | Elektra E-45441First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Australia | Elektra E-45441First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Belgium | EMI 4C 006 60045 / EMI 4 C 006-60045First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Belgium | EMI 4C 006 60045 / EMI 4 C 006-60045First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Bolivia | EMI International BO - 1217First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | Bolivia | EMI International BOD-5451First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Mispress | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Mispress |
| 1977 | Brazil | EMI EMI 4113First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Brazil | EMI EMI 4113First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Elektra E 45441First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Chile | EMI 1358First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Chile | EMI 1358First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Chile | EMI 1358First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | France | EMI 2C 006 60045 / EMI 2C 006-60.045First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Poland | TonpressFlexi-disc, 4", Shape, Single Sided, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered | Flexi-disc, 4", Shape, Single Sided, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered |
| 1983 | US | Elektra E-450907", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1988 | Germany | EMI 006 20 3143 7 / EMI 006-20 3143 77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | US | Hollywood Records 7-647257", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1997 | Bahrain | Hard Rock Cafe, Bahrain7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Special Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Special Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | France | Parlophone 7243 5 52128 6 3 / EMI 7243 5 52128 6 312", Single, Stereo | 12", Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Italy | Elektra Queen 12-77 DJ-A12", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2017 | Europe | Virgin EMI Records 060255790766712", Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | 12", Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2017 | US | Hollywood Records D00269791112", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Elektra GS 455267", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Elektra GS 455267", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| ? | UK | EMI EMI 27087", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | UK | EMI EMI 27087", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | UK | EMI EMI 27087", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| ? | US | Elektra E-454417", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
75 vinyl pressings of We Are The Champions are listed here, from 29 countries, released between 1977 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Germany, Japan and more. One of them is EMI EMI 2708, released October 7, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 2708, E-45441, Queen 12-77 DJ-A, 1 C 006-60 045) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 2708 A-3 NICK W and EMI 2708 B-3. 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.
