Vinyl pressings
by Bill Withers · 1985
Watching You Watching Me was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 8 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 (AP) PAL-39887-1BSide A runout etched, variant 1
P AP PAL-39888-1ESide B runout etched, variant 1
PAL-39887-1G P (AP)Side A runout, variant 2
PBL-39887-1E P - APSide B runout, variant 2
MX 215761-C SBP8073-1Side A runout etched
MX 215762-C SBP8073-2Side B runout etched
01-26200-1A-1 ARunout side A, stamped
01-26200-1B-1 ARunout side B, stamped
01-026200-1Label side A
01-026200-2Label side B
01-26200-1A-1 ASide A, stamped
01-26200-1B-1 ASide B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | CBS SBP 8073First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Canada | Columbia FC 39887First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS 26200 / CBS CBS 26200First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS 26200First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | CBS CBS 26200First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | CBS/Sony 28AP 3032First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | CBS SBP8073First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | South Africa | CBS ASF 3068First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Columbia FC 39887First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | CBS/Sony 28AP 3032First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of Watching You Watching Me are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Japan, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia FC 39887.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FC 39887, 28AP 3032, SBP 8073, 26200) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P (AP) PAL-39887-1B and P AP PAL-39888-1E. 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.
