Greece
1984- Label and catalog number
- Atlantic 781280-1
- Format
- LP, Compilation
Aretha FranklinThe Best Of Aretha Franklin
Vinyl pressings
The Best Of Aretha Franklin
by Aretha Franklin · 1984
15 pressings7 countriesSoulFunk / Soul
The Best Of Aretha Franklin 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.
How to spot a first pressing of The Best Of Aretha Franklin
9 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 6 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
1984- Label and catalog number
- Atlantic 81280-1-Y
- Format
- LP, Compilation · SP
- Runout / matrix
[SRC logo] ST A 85580 1 B 1-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS DKRunout, side A, etched and stamped
[SRC logo] ST A 855802 A 1-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS DKRunout, side B, etched and stamped
ST-A-855801-SPLabel, side A
ST-A-855802-SPLabel, side B
US
1984- Label and catalog number
- Atlantic 81280-1-Y
- Format
- LP, Compilation
- Runout / matrix
S̶T̶-̶A̶-̶8̶5̶5̶8̶0̶1̶-̶B̶ ̶1̶-̶1̶ R-120078-A Stamped Atlantic Studios D.K. SRCSide A Etched and Stamped
S̶T̶-̶A̶-̶8̶5̶5̶8̶0̶2̶-̶A̶ 1-3 R-120078-B Atlantic Studios D.K. SRCSide B Etched and Stamped
US
1984- Label and catalog number
- Atlantic 81280-1-Y
- Format
- LP, Compilation · AR
Australia
1984- Label and catalog number
- Atlantic 81280-1
- Format
- LP, Compilation
- Runout / matrix
MX210917Side A
MX210918Side B
Europe
1984- Label and catalog number
- Atlantic 780 169-1
- Format
- LP, Compilation
- Runout / matrix
R/S Alsdorf 780169-1 A 2̶ 3Runout side A
R/S Alsdorf 780169-1 B 2 xRunout side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 15 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s12 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Atlantic 81280-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Europe | Atlantic 780 169-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Europe | Atlantic 780 169-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Germany | Atlantic 780 169-1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1984 | Greece | Atlantic 781280-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Japan | Atlantic P-7733First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | UK & Germany | Atlantic 780 169-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | US | Atlantic 81280-1-YFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | US | Atlantic A1-81280LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1984 | US | Atlantic 81280-1-YLP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | US | Atlantic 81280-1-YFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | US | Atlantic 81280-1-YFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
Year unknown3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Atlantic 780 169-1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Atlantic 780 169-1LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Atlantic 81280LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
Tracklist
- A1Chain Of Fools
- A2I Say A Little Prayer
- A3(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
- A4Think
- A5Rock Steady
- A6Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)
- B1Respect
- B2Spanish Harlem
- B3Dr. Feelgood
- B4Do Right Woman - Do Right Man
- B5I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)
- B6Save Me
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Best Of Aretha Franklin are there?
15 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Aretha Franklin are listed here, from 7 countries.
When was The Best Of Aretha Franklin first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Greece, US, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Atlantic 781280-1.
How do I tell if my copy of The Best Of Aretha Franklin is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 781280-1, 81280-1-Y, 81280-1, 780 169-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Best Of Aretha Franklin 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.
