Vinyl pressings
by Roger Taylor · 1984
Man On Fire 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.
21 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 12 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 5478TA-1-1-1-1 NICKZ PenthouseRunout Grooves Side A
EMI 5478TB-1-1-3-IRunout Grooves Side B
EMI 5478TA-1-1-1-3 NICKZ PenthouseRunout Grooves Side A [Variation 1]
EMI 5478TB-1-1-3-3Runout Grooves Side B [Variation 1]
12 EMI 5478T A-1-1 | . . X 1Side A
12 EMI 5478T B-1-1 : . . 1Side B
EMI 5478TA-1-1-Q2-X1 NICKZ PenthouseRunout Grooves Side A
EMI 5478TB-1-1-Q2-4Runout Grooves Side B
Nick ZEtched
PenthouseStamped
EMI 5478TA-1-1–Q2-1Side A runout (variant 1)
EMI 5478TB-1-1-Q2-1Side B runout (variant 1)
EMI 5478TA-1-1-1-1 NICKZ PenthouseA side runout
EMI 5478TB-1-1-3-IB side runout
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.1278 / EMI EMI-1278First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia & New Zealand | EMI EMI.1278 / EMI EMI-1278First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Canada | Capitol Records B-5364First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Capitol Records SPRO-249First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | France | EMI 2002087First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Portugal | EMI 2002087First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | South Africa | EMI EMIJ 4481First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Spain | EMI 006 2002087First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Spain | EMI 006 20 0208 7 / EMI 006 2002087First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | EMI EMI 5478First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | EMI 12 EMI 5478 / EMI 12EMI 5478First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | EMI EMI 5478First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | EMI EMI 5478First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | EMI EMI 5478First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | US | Capitol Records SPRO-9149/9150First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
21 vinyl pressings of Man On Fire are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Europe, Japan and more. One of them is EMI EMI 5478.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 5478, 12 EMI 5478, B 5364, SPRO-9149/9150) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 5478TA-1-1-1-1 NICKZ Penthouse and EMI 5478TB-1-1-3-I. 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.
