Vinyl pressings
by Bill Withers · 1972
Lean On Me was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 17 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.
SUX 235 AA-1 STERLING LH 2A-Side Deadwax, variant 1
SUX 235 B-1 STERLING LH 3B-Side Deadwax, variant 1
SUX 235 AA-1A-Side Deadwax, variant 2
SUX 235 B-1 STERLING LH 3 PB-Side Deadwax, variant 2
SUX 235 AA-3 STERLING LH 2 ARPEtched Side A, except STERLING & ARP stamped
SUX 235 B-3 ARP STERLING LH 2Etched Side B, except STERLING & ARP stamped
SUX-235-AA-4-RE 81968 STERLING LHA-Side
SUX- 235 B-40 MR 81968-X STERLING LHB-Side
SUX 235 A-4, ➁ , LH, 3Etched Runout Area Side A
SUX 235 B-4, ➀, LH, 3Etched Runout Area Side B
MR (in circle), SterlingStamped Runout Area Side A & B
SUX 235A-4 ② [MR] △87968 [STERLING] 3 LHRunout Etched and [Stamped] Side A
SUX 235 B-4 ① [MR] △87968-X [STERLING] 3 LHRunout Etched and [Stamped] Side B
SUX 235 A-3 STERLING LH 2Etched Side A, except STERLING is stamped
SUX 235 B-3 STERLING LH 2Etched Side B, except STERLING is stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Argentina | A&M Records 1552First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Australia | A&M Records ASK-4664First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Barbados | Sussex SUX 235First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Barbados | A&M Records SUX 235First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Brazil | Sussex 7SX-1006 / A&M Records 7SX-1006First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Sussex SUX 235First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | Germany | A&M Records 12 134 AT / Sussex 12 134 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | Italy | A&M Records AM 45035 / Sussex AM 45035First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Stereo |
| 1972 | Italy | A&M Records AM 45035 / Sussex AM 45035First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | A&M Records AM-144 / Sussex AM-144First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Lebanon | Sussex SUX 235 / A&M Records SUX 235First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | New Zealand | A&M Records ASK 4664 / Sussex SUX 235First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Peru | A&M Records 11624First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Portugal | A&M Records N-35-39First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | Spain | Sussex HS 857 / A&M Records HS 857First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Barbados | A&M Records SUX 2357", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Canada | Sussex SUX 2357", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | Greece | A&M Records AM 37", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
33 vinyl pressings of Lean On Me are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1972 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Nigeria, Australia and more. One of them is Sussex SUX 235, released March 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SUX 235, SUX-235, AMS 7004, SXX 9) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SUX 235 AA-1 STERLING LH 2 and SUX 235 B-1 STERLING LH 3. 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.
