Vinyl pressings
by Al Green · 1974
Sha-la-la (Make Me Happy) / School Days was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 16 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.
HI 2832A-Side Label
HI 2833B-Side Label
HI-2832 (scribed) P (stamped) M HC (scribed)A side deadwax
HI-2833 (scribed) P (stamped) M HC (scribed)B side deadwax
HI 2832 PHA-Side Label
HI 2833 PHB-Side Label
HI-2832 RE-1-2-1 M HC (scribed)A side deadwax
HI-2833-1-1-1 M HC (scribed)B side deadwax
T HI-2832 -1 M HCA side deadwax, variant 1
T HI-2833 -1 M HCB side deadwax, variant 1
TII HI-2832 -1 M HCA side deadwax, variant 2
TIII HI-2833 -1 M HCB side deadwax, variant 2
HI-2832-2 M HC TIIA side deadwax
HI-2833-2 M HC TIIIB side deadwax
HI-2832 MR MHC -△95597Side A runout, variant 1
HI-2833-EX MR MHC △95597-XSide B runout, variant 1
HI-2832-EX MR MHC-△95597Side A runout, variant 2
HI-2833 MR MHC-△95597-XSide B runout, variant 2
HI-2832 xxx BEST 9-13-74 M HCA-Side Runout Etching
HI-2833 xxx BEST 9-13-74 M HCB-Side Runout Etching
HI 2832 BWA-Side Label
HI 2833 BWB-Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | London Records HL-10638First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Australia | London Records HL-10638First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | Barbados | London Records 5N-2274First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Belgium | London Records 5.707-Y / London Records 80-5.707 YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Brazil | London Records S7L-6147First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Canada | Hi Records HI 2274First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Canada | Hi Records HI 2274First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1974 | Costa Rica | London Records 7046First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | France | Decca 86 050 / Decca 86.050First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Italy | London Records HL 10470 / London American Recordings HL 10470First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Mexico | London Records 45/10535First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | London Records HLU 10470 / London Records 6101 259First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | London American Recordings NZL 1077First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Peru | London Records 01.05.417First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | London Records HLU 10470First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | London Records 6.11 5567", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | London Records 6.11 5567", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
35 vinyl pressings of Sha-la-la (Make Me Happy) / School Days are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Australia, Barbados and more. One of them is Hi Records 5N-2274.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5N-2274, 5N-2274-DJ, HLU 10470, HL-10638) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HI 2832 and HI 2833. 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.
