Vinyl pressings
by Queen · 1986
Who Wants To Live Forever was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 7 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 9 A-2U-1- 2 TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout side A, variant 1
12 QUEEN 9 B-1U-1-1- 1 TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout side B, variant 1
12 QUEEN 9 A-2U-1-2-XI D TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout side A, variant 2
12 QUEEN 9 B-1U-1-1-1 D TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout side B, variant 2
QUEEN 9 A-1 U-1-Q-4-7 DSide A runout, stamped, variant 1
QUEEN 9 B-1 U-1-Q 5--1 DSide B runout, stamped, variant 1
QUEEN 9 A-1 U-1-Q-4-16Side A runout, stamped, variant 2
QUEEN 9 B-1 U-1-Q 5--15Side B runout, stamped, variant 2
QUEEN 9 A-1 U-1-Q-4-13Runout Side A [Stamped]
QUEEN 9 B-1 U-1-Q 5--1DRunout Side B [Stamped]
QUEEN 9ALabel Side A
QUEEN 9BLabel Side B
QUEEN 9 A-1 U-1-Q-3-C D TOWNHOUSE DMMA side
QUEEN 9 B-1 U-1-Q-5-14 D TOWNHOUSE DMMB side
QUEEN 9A-1U-1-1-1Label Side A
QUEEN 9B-2U-1-1-1Label Side B
QUEEN 9 B-1 U-1- DRunout Side B [Stamped]
QUEEN 9ALabel Side A
QUEEN 9BLabel Side B
QUEEN 9 A-1 U-1- D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 1C K 060-20 1440 6 / EMI Electrola 1C K 060-20 1440 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 1A 006-20 1439 7 / EMI 006-20 1439 7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Germany | EMI 1C 006 20 1439 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | Italy | Not On Label (Queen)12", Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc | 12", Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc |
| 1986 | Italy | EMI 14 2014406First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Italy | EMI 06 2014397First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | New Zealand | EMI GOOD 142First year12", Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Spain | EMI 006-20 1439 7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Spain | EMI 006-20 1439 7 / EMI 006-2014397First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Ireland | EMI QUEEN 9First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | New Zealand | EMI EMI 900First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Spain | EMI 052 2014406First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | EMI 12QUEEN 9First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | EMI QUEEN 9First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | EMI QUEEN 9First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | EMI QUEEN 97", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
21 vinyl pressings of Who Wants To Live Forever are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Spain and more. One of them is EMI 12QUEEN 9, released September 15, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12QUEEN 9, QUEEN 9, EMI 900, 052 2014406) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12 QUEEN 9 A-2U-1- 2 TOWNHOUSE DMM and 12 QUEEN 9 B-1U-1-1- 1 TOWNHOUSE DMM. 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.
