Vinyl pressings
by Barry White · 1976
Baby, We Better Try To Get It Together was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 12 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.
BTC 2298 A-1◇X POLDARKSSide A etched runout
BTC 2298 B-1◇XSide B etched runout
†BTC 2298 A†Side A label
†BTC 2298 B†Side B label
BTC 2298 A-1◇X POLDARKS 4 JEtched runout, side A
BTC 2298 B-1◇X 1 BKEtched runout, side B
BTC 2298 A-1♢X POLDARKSA-side etched
BTC 2298 B-1♢XB-side etched
†BTC 2298-A†A-side label
†BTC 2298-B†B-side label
T M-2298-AS-1Runout side A, etched
T M-2298-BS-2Runout side B, etched
M-2298-ASLabel Side A
M-2298-BSLabel Side B
M-2298-ASRunout area side A
M-2298-BSRunout area side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Argentina | 20th Century Records 6162 091First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | Australia | 20th Century Records K-6463First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Canada | 20th Century Records 1209-2298First year7", Stereo, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Stereo, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Canada | 20th Century Records 1209-2298First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | 20th Century Records 6162 091First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Ireland | 20th Century Records BTC 2298First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Mexico | 20th Century Records G-1679First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Netherlands | 20th Century Records 6162 091First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Netherlands | 20th Century Records 6162 091First year7" | 7" |
| 1976 | New Zealand | 20th Century Records K6463First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Spain | 20th Century Records 02.1149/4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | 20th Century Records BTC 2298First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | UK | 20th Century Records BTC 2298First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1976 | UK | 20th Century Records BTC 2298First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | US | 20th Century Records TC-2298First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
19 vinyl pressings of Baby, We Better Try To Get It Together are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is 20th Century Records BTC 2298, released August 6, 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BTC 2298, TC-2298, 6162 091, K-6463) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BTC 2298 A-1◇X POLDARKS and BTC 2298 B-1◇X. 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.
