# ELTON JOHN — I'VE BEEN LOVING YOU / HERE'S TO THE NEXT TIME (7" MONO SINGLE)
**Label:** Philips Records
**Catalog Number:** BF 1643 (326 855 BF)
**Release Year:** 1968
**Country:** UK First Pressing
**Format:** 7" Vinyl, 45 RPM, Mono, 3-Prong Push-Out Center
Before we provide full details of this listing some information about Elton John Store.
Since October 1998 we have been the UK's premier dedicated place for selling premium official Elton John music and memorabilia, both new and vintage items spanning Elton's entire career to 1000's of happy fans across the globe.
We are also well known for selling authentic Elton John autographs with life time guarantee.
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We are privileged to be dealing with the disposal of the museum quality archival collection of Paul Smith ,one of the world's best known superfan's of Elton who over the last 54 years has put together an amazing collection of music and memorabilia spanning the entire career of arguably one of the most successful solo rock stars to have come out of the UK, Sir Elton John.
Over the last 54 years since becoming a fan aged 8 in 1972, Paul has been to 80 concerts across the world including two landmark concerts at Madison Square Garden , New York. Paul has personally met Elton 6 times over the years including two official EJAF events where he obtained in person autographs after brief chats with Elton.
Paul together with his two daughters, both fans, was recognised as a superfan by Elton's own management and they were chosen to appear in the official Rocket Entertainment video shot for the backdrop to Elton singing " Crocodile Rock " on the 330 date Farewell Tour, you can see a still from the video in the listing photos and you can also see a photo of Paul & Elton when they last met in February 2023.
So now the time has come as Paul reaches retirement age for him to downsize his collection and pass on the batten and give other collectors the chance to add some amazing Elton music and memorabilia to their collections.
In this listing as per the heading this is an extremely rare single that has helped make Paul's collection truly complete over the years and now it's time to make someone else's collection special.
# ELTON JOHN — I'VE BEEN LOVING YOU / HERE'S TO THE NEXT TIME (7" MONO SINGLE)
**Label:** Philips Records
**Catalog Number:** BF 1643 (326 855 BF)
**Release Year:** 1968
**Country:** UK First Pressing
**Format:** 7" Vinyl, 45 RPM, Mono, 3-Prong Push-Out Center
## ABOUT THIS RARE PIECE OF MUSIC HISTORY
Up for auction is a stunning, investment-grade copy of Elton John's exceptionally rare debut single, "I've Been Loving You" (co-credited to Bernie Taupin) backed with "Here's To The Next Time." Released in 1968, this represents the very first commercial release under his newly adopted name, Elton John. Because the single failed to chart at the time, original UK pressings are incredibly scarce—finding one in this beautiful condition is a true rarity.
## CONDITION & GRADING
### VINYL: NEAR MINT (NM) / EXCELLENT PLUS (EX+)
* **Visual:** The vinyl surfaces retain a beautiful, mirror-like factory sheen. Free of any nasty scratches or deep scuffs.
* **Audio:** Fully play-tested. It plays beautifully from start to finish with absolutely no jumps, skips, or loud pops. High-quality mono sound clarity throughout.
Check out video snippet in listing photos
* **Labels:** Pristine blue Philips labels with crisp silver print. The 3-prong center is fully intact with no damage. Very minimal spindle marking around the center hole.
Note - there is a small manufacturing mark on the label, see photos, this doesn't detract from it's rarity
### SLEEVE: EXCELLENT (EX)
* Comes housed in its highly collectible, original vintage Philips "Antistatic Discleaner" company sleeve.
* The sleeve is crisp with bold text, completely free of seams splits . It features a faint vintage catalog number written in pencil/ink in the top left corner, adding to its authentic period charm.
## TRACKLISTING
* **Side A:** I've Been Loving You (Written by Elton John / Bernie Taupin) – Dick James Music
* **Side B:** Here's To The Next Time (Written by Elton John) – Gralto Music
We believe this is possibly one of the best if not the best serving copies of this rare 58 year old single single. It truly looks like it has just come out of the record shop.
## SHIPPING & PACKAGING
This rare record will be packaged with professional care. It will be shipped inside a heavy-duty, corrugated vinyl mailer with extra cardboard stiffeners to ensure it arrives at your doorstep safely.
*Tracking and full insurance covering the final value are mandatory for this item.*