Vinyl pressings
by Barry Manilow · 1975
I Write The Songs was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 16 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 2204-S STERLINGA-side runout
p 2205-S STERLINGB-side runout
2204-S [STERLING stamped]Side A Variation
2205-SX [STERLING stamped]Side B Variation
2204-S-3 1-1 STERLING PRCSide A runout, variant 1
2205-S-1 1-1 PRC STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
2204-S-2-1-1 STERLING PRCSide A runout, variant 2
2205-S-2-1-1 STERLING PRCSide B runout, variant 2
K-10637 2204-S [STERLING]Runout side A, etched [stamped]
K-10638 2205-S [STERLING]Runout side B, etched [stamped]
2204-SA-side label
2205-SB-side label
2204-S-2 TIII STERLINGSide A runout, etched
2205-S-1 TII STERLINGSide B runout, etched
2204-SSide A label
2205-SSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Barbados | Arista AS 0157First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Belgium | Arista 4C006-97208First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1975 | Brazil | Arista AR-31010First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Canada | Arista AS 0157First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | France | Arista C 010-97208 / Arista 2C 010-97208First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1975 | Germany | Arista 1C 006-97 208 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-97 208First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Ireland | Arista ARISTA 40First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Mexico | Arista 7867First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Arista ATA 157First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Arista ATA 706First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Peru | Arista 01.22.657First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Philippines | Arista AR-30125First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Portugal | Arista 8E 006-97 208 FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | South Africa | Arista AAJ 1008First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Arista AS 0157First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | New Zealand | Arista GOLD 47", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | New Zealand | Arista ATA 7067", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
35 vinyl pressings of I Write The Songs are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1975 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, Australia, Japan, Barbados and more. One of them is Arista AS 0157.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AS 0157, AR-10988, IER-10892, 4C006-97208) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, p 2204-S STERLING and p 2205-S STERLING. 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.
