US
1981- Label and catalog number
- MCA Records MCA-5162
- Format
- LP, Album · Gloversville Pressing
- Runout / matrix
MCA-2449-A-AM1 回-G-回Runout side A
MCA-2450-B-AM2 回-G-回Runout side B
MCA 2449Label side A
MCA 2450Label side B
Vinyl pressings
There Must Be A Better World Somewhere
by B.B. King · 1981
23 pressings14 countriesElectric BluesDelta BluesBlues
There Must Be A Better World Somewhere was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. 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 There Must Be A Better World Somewhere
20 pressings came out in 1981, 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
1981- Label and catalog number
- MCA Records MCA-5162
- Format
- LP, Album · Pinckneyville Pressing
- Runout / matrix
MCA-2449-A-AM3 ◈-P-◈ IIA side runout, variant 1
MCA-2450-A-AM5 ◈-P-◈ IIB side runout, variant 1
MCA-2449-A-AM3 ◈-P-◈ IIIIA side runout, variant 2
MCA 2̶4̶4̶9̶-̶B̶-̶A̶M̶-̶3̶ 2450-AM-3 ◈-P-◈ IIB side runout, variant 2
US
1981- Label and catalog number
- MCA Records MCA-5162
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo, White Label
US
1981- Label and catalog number
- MCA Records MCA-5162
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo
- Runout / matrix
MCA-2449 AM6 (PRESSING LOGO)Side 1
MCA-2450 AM5 (PRESSING LOGO)Side 2
UK
1981- Label and catalog number
- MCA Records MCF 3095
- Format
- LP, Album
Australia
1981- Label and catalog number
- MCA Records MCA 5162
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
MCA-5162-A FH 20/2Side A runout
MCA-5162-B FH 20/2Side B runout
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 23 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s21 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | MCA Records MCA 5162First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | MCA Records MCA-203438First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5162First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | MCA Records 203 438First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | MCA Records MCA-5162 / MCA Records MCA 5162First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | MCA Records 203 438 - 320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | MCA Records MCA-4142First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6251First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6251First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | MCA Records 203 438First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | MCA Records MCA 5162First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Norway | MCA Records MCA-5162 / MCA Records MCA 5162First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | MCA Records ML 4487First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | MCA Records I-203 438First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA 27034LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-5162LP, Album | LP, Album |
Tracklist
- A1Life Ain't Nothing But A Party6:13
- A2Born Again Human8:32
- A3There Must Be A Better World Somewhere5:30
- B1The Victim6:15
- B2More, More, More4:33
- B3You're Going With Me4:32
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of There Must Be A Better World Somewhere are there?
23 vinyl pressings of There Must Be A Better World Somewhere are listed here, from 14 countries.
When was There Must Be A Better World Somewhere first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5162.
How do I tell if my copy of There Must Be A Better World Somewhere is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5162, MCF 3095, MCA 5162, MCA-203438) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-2449-A-AM1 回-G-回 and MCA-2450-B-AM2 回-G-回. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is There Must Be A Better World Somewhere 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.
