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The Way We Were by Andy Williams, album cover

Vinyl pressings

The Way We Were

by Andy Williams · 1974

20 pressings15 countriesEasy ListeningJazzPop

The Way We Were 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.

How to spot a first pressing of The Way We Were

17 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 14 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.

US

1974
Label and catalog number
Columbia KC 32949
Format
LP, Album · Terre Haute Pressing
Runout / matrix

T1 PAL 32949 1E [square] A2Side 1 Runout Ring Etched

T1 PBL 32949 1F B2Side 2 Runout Ring Etched

[upside down V]Side 1 Runout Ring Stamped

Full details of this pressing

US

1974
Label and catalog number
Columbia KC 32949
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

PAL 32949-1B AZRunout side A

PBL 32949-1B AZRunout side B

AL 32949Label side A

BL 32949Label side B

Full details of this pressing

UK

1974
Label and catalog number
CBS 80152CBS CBS 80152
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Runout / matrix

CBS-S-80152-A1 40 CRunout side A, stamped, variant 1

CBS-S-80152-B1 43 ⋀Runout side B, stamped, variant 1

CBS-S-80152-A1 10 DRunout side A, stamped, variant 2

CBS-S-80152-B1 5 CRunout side B, stamped, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

Australia

1974
Label and catalog number
CBS SBP-234500CBS KC 32949
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

MX172536Side 1 label

MX172537Side 2 label

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 20 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1970s18 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1974AustraliaCBS SBP-234500 / CBS KC 32949First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1974CanadaCBS KC 32949 / Columbia KC 32949First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1974ChileCBS SLPC-37108First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1974GreeceCBS S 80152First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1974IsraelCBS S 80152First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1974JapanCBS/Sony SOPM 123First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1974MexicoCBS CLS-5446First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1974NetherlandsCBS S 80152 / CBS CBS S 80152First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1974New ZealandCBS SBP 474207First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1974South AfricaCBS ASF 1808 / Columbia ASF.1808First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1974SpainCBS S 80152First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1974UKCBS S 80152 / CBS CBS 80152First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1974UKCBS 80152 / CBS CBS 80152First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1974UKCBS 32482 / CBS CBS 32482First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1974USColumbia KC 32949First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
All 18 pressings from the 1970s
Year unknown2 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?ArgentinaCBS 19373LP, StereoLP, Stereo
?CanadaColumbia KC 32949LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo

Tracklist

  1. A1You're The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me4:15
  2. A2I Won't Last A Day Without You5:14
  3. A3Killing Me Softly With Her Song4:25
  4. A4Touch Me In The Morning3:48
  5. A5Love's Theme2:26
  6. B1Sunshine On My Shoulders3:08
  7. B2The Way We Were3:14
  8. B3The Most Beautiful Girl3:10
  9. B4Seasons In The Sun4:38
  10. B5If I Could Ever Go Back Again3:05

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of The Way We Were are there?

20 vinyl pressings of The Way We Were are listed here, from 15 countries.

When was The Way We Were first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia KC 32949.

How do I tell if my copy of The Way We Were is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KC 32949, S 80152, 80152, 32482) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 PAL 32949 1E [square] A2 and T1 PBL 32949 1F B2. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is The Way We Were on vinyl worth?

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.

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