Vinyl pressings
by Aretha Franklin · 1987
I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
44 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 19 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.
DUET-T2-A1Side A runout groove, etched variant 1
DUET-T2-B1Side A runout groove, etched variant 1
DBoth sides runout groove, stamped
DUET-T2-A1Side A runout groove, etched variant 2
DUET 2 A1 C AD2Side A runout variant 1
DUET 2 B1 C AD2Side B runout variant 1
DUET∙2∙A1 Ʌ AD2Side A runout, variant 2
DUET-2-B2 ɅSide B runout, variant 2
DUET-T 2-AIRunout side A, etched
DUET·T 2·BIRunout side B, etched
DUET T2 A☆Label side A
DUET T2 B☆Label side B
DUET∙2∙A1Side A Etched Runout
AD2 ⋀ 27Side A Stamped Runout
DUET∙2∙B1Side B Etched Runout
AD2 0 0 1Side B Stamped Runout
DUET∙2∙A1 AD2 ⋀Runout side A
DUET∙2∙B1 AD2Runout side B
DUET 2 A*Side A Label
DUET 2 B*Side B Label
DUET-2-A2 4 ɅA side runout variant 1
DUET-2-B-2 1 3 BB side runout variant 1
DUET-2-A2 14 ΛA side runout variant 2
DUET-2-B-2 BB side runout variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | Epic 650253 6First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Australia | Epic 650253 7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Australia | Epic 650253 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Brazil | Epic 60-016First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1987 | Canada | Arista AD1-9560First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1987 | Canada | Arista AS1-9559First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | Arista AD1-9560First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1987 | Greece | Epic EPC 6502536 / Epic EPC 650253 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Italy | Epic EPC 650253 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | Epic 12・3P-808First year12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | Kenya | CBS CBS (K) 077First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | New Zealand | Epic 650253 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Peru | Iempsa 21.48800032First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Portugal | Epic EPC A 650253 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | South Africa | Epic EN 6000First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
44 vinyl pressings of I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) are listed here, from 19 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Europe, Ireland and more. One of them is Epic DUET T2, released January 19, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DUET T2, DUET 2, AS1-9559, AD1-9560) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DUET-T2-A1 and DUET-T2-B1. 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.
