Vinyl pressings
by Barbra Streisand · 1973
The Way We Were was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 10 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.
p ZSS-158863-1C A 1A-Side Runout Etching, variant 1
ZSS 158555-1G p AB-Side Runout Etching, variant 1
ZSS-158863-1CA-Side Runout Etching, variant 2
ZSS-158555-1FB-Side Runout Etching, variant 2
ZSS-158863-1DA-Side Runout Etching
ZSS-158555-1E S111B-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 158863A-Side Label
ZSS 158555B-Side Label
T ZSS-158863-1ERun-out Side A, etched, variant 1
ZS S 158555-1A TRun-out Side B, stamped (ZS, T etched), variant 1
T ZSS-158863-1FRun-out Side A, etched, variant 2
ZS S 158555-1AB TRun-out Side B, stamped (ZS, T etched), variant 2
ZSS 158863-1N [SRC logo]Side A Runout, etched [stamped]
ZS[S 158555-1G] 1-1 WS 1-0Side B Runout, etched [stamped]
ZSS 158863Side A Label
ZSS 158555Side B Label
C-B.S.
JZSP 158862A-Side Label
JZSS 158863B-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | CBS BA-222036First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Australia | Columbia BA-222036First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Australia | Columbia BA-222036First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Columbia 4-45944First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPB 266First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461489First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Portugal | CBS CBS-S- 1915First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Singapore & Malaysia | CBS/Sony 2-748First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1973 | South Africa | CBS SSC.1302First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Spain | CBS CBS 1915First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | UK | CBS S CBS 1915First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | US | Columbia 4-45944First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1973 | US | Columbia 4-45944First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | CBSFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Columbia 4-45944First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Europe | CBS CBS 650957 77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
33 vinyl pressings of The Way We Were are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1973 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia 4-45944, released September 26, 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4-45944, S CBS 1915, BA-222036, SOPB 266) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, p ZSS-158863-1C A 1 and ZSS 158555-1G p A. 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.
