Vinyl pressings
by Billy Joel · 1977
Just The Way You Are was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 13 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.
ZSS 163718-2E sss STERLINGRunout, side A
ZSS 163719-1F sssRunout, side B
ZSS 163718-2E sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ sVar 2: Runout, side A etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped)
ZSS 163719-1H s IVar 2: Runout, side B etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped)
P ZSS 163718-2ASide A Runout, etched
P ZSS 163719-1ASide B Runout, etched
ZSS 163718Side A Label
ZSS 163719Side B Label
ZSS 163718-2C T STERLINGA side runout - variant 1
ZSS 163719-1EB side runout - variant 1
ZSS 163718-2C T STERLINGA side runout - variant 2
ZSS 163719-1GB side runout - variant 2
ZSP 163717-2D TI sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢRun-out Side A, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped)
ZSS 163718-2D sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ TIRun-out Side B, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped)
ZSP 163717Label Side A
ZSS 163718Label Side B
P ZSP 163717-2BSide A (Mono) Runout, etched
P ZSS 163718-2ASide B (Stereo) Runout, etched
ZSP 163717Side A (Mono) Label
ZSS 163718Side B (Stereo) Label
ZSP 163717-2CA Side
ZSS 163717-2DB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | Discos CBS 22.952First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Australia | CBS BA 222361First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | Columbia 3-10646 / Family Productions 3-10646First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Chile | Discos CBS 11242First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Jamaica | Columbia 3-10646First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461796First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Peru | CBS Columbia CSR 0997First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Rhodesia | CBS SSC 1621First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Rhodesia | CBS SSC 1621First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | South East Asia | CBS/Sony S-1142First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Spain | CBS CBS 5872First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | UK | CBS S CBS 5872First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | UK | CBS S CBS 5872 / Family Productions S CBS 5872First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | CBS CBS 5872First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | UK | CBS S CBS 58727", 45 RPM, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | CBS BA 2223617", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Japan | CBS/Sony 06SP 4057", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Philippines | CBS S-11427", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
37 vinyl pressings of Just The Way You Are are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Mexico, Argentina and more. One of them is Columbia 3-10646, released November 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3-10646, S CBS 5872, CBS 5872, 7918) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS 163718-2E sss STERLING and ZSS 163719-1F sss. 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.
