Vinyl pressings
by Ben E. King · 1961
Stand By Me was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1961, the album's first year, in 7 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.
45-60-C-5164-5 AT W [Ankh]Runout A (Variant 1
45-61-C-5442-5 AT W [Ankh]Runout B (Variant 1
45-60-C-5164-5 1 AT W [Ankh]Runout A (Variant 2
45-61-C-5442-6 2 AT W [Ankh]Runout B (Variant 2
45-60-C-5164-13 AT WSide A runout, etched
45-61-C-5442-11Side B runout, etched
60C-5164Side A label
61C-5442Side B label
45-60-C-5164-13 AT WSide A, Etched
45-61-C-5442-13 AT WSide B, Etched
60C-5164Side A Label
61C-5442Side B Label
[MGM "Ankh" symbol] 45-60-C-5164-5 2 AT WSide A runout
[MGM "Ankh" symbol] 45-61-C-5442-6 1 AT WSide B runout
60C-5164Side A label
61C-5442Side B label
45-60-C-5164-11Side A runout, etched
45-61-C-5442-13 WSide B runout, etched
60C-5164Side A label
61C-5442Side B label
45-60-C-5164-23 MR (mirror image) AT ∆ 38774 WRunout A-side
45-60-C-5164-23 MR (mirror image) AT ∆ 38775 WRunout B-side
60C-5164Label A-side
61C-5442Label B-side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Australia | London Atlantic HL-1820 / London American Recordings HL-1820First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | Canada | ATCO Records ATCO 6194First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | France | Atlantic 112039First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1961 | Italy | Atlantic 90065x45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | Italy | Atlantic PR 90065x45First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1961 | UK | London American Recordings 45-HLK 9358 / London Atlantic 45-HLK 9358First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1961 | UK | London American Recordings 45-HL-K 9358 / London Atlantic 45-HL-K 93587", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1961 | UK | London American Recordings 45-HL-K 9358 / London Atlantic 45-HL-K 9358First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1961 | US | ATCO Records 45-6194First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1961 | US | ATCO Records 45-6194First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | US | ATCO Records 45-6194First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1961 | US | ATCO Records 45-6194First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1961 | US | ATCO Records 45-6194First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | US | ATCO Records 45-6194First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1961 | US | Atco Records 45-6194First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Sweden | Atlantic 70.0497", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | ATCO Records 45-61947", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | ATCO Records 45-61947", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | ATCO Records 45-61947", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of Stand By Me are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Atco Records 45-6194, released May 1961.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-6194, 45-HLK 9358, 45-HL-K 9358, ATL-1073) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-60-C-5164-5 AT W [Ankh] and 45-61-C-5442-5 AT W [Ankh]. 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.
