Vinyl pressings
by Billy Joel · 1978
Only The Good Die Young was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 1978, the album's first year, in 4 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.
T ZSS 164717-1A STERLINGRunout side A
T ZSS 164719-1GRunout side B
ZSS 164717Label side A
ZSS 164718-1Label side B
ZSS 164717 1E △104601 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢRun-out side A, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped)
ZSS 164718 - 1E △104601-1 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢRun-out side B, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped)
ZSS 164717Label side A
ZSS 164718-1 or ZSS 163719Label side B
p ZSS 164717-1G STERLINGRunout side A
p ZSS 164719-1GRunout side B
ZSS 164717Label side A
ZSS 164781-1Label side B
ZSS 164717-1C ss STERLINGRunout side A
ZSS 164719-1C ss STERLINGRunout side B
ZSS 164717Label side A
ZSS 164781-1Label side B
ZSP 164716 1D SRunout Mono-side, etched
ZSS 164717-1C SSSRunout Stereo-side, etched
STERLINGRunout both sides, stamped
ZSP 164716Label Mono-side
ZSP 164716 1A TI STERLINGMono runout
ZSS 164717-1B TI STERLINGStereo runout
ZSP 164716Mono label
ZSS 164717Stereo label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Germany | CBS CBS 6528 / CBS CBS S 6528First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Germany | CBS CBS 6528 / CBS CBS S 6528First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | CBS 6528 / CBS CBS 6528First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10750First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10750 / Family Productions 3-10750First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | Canada | Columbia 3-10750 / Family Productions 3-10750First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10750 / Family Productions 3-10750First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10750 / Family Productions 3-10750First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10750 / Family Productions 3-10750First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10750First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
10 vinyl pressings of Only The Good Die Young are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Canada, Germany, Netherlands. One of them is Columbia 3-10750, released May 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3-10750, CBS 6528, 6528) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T ZSS 164717-1A STERLING and T ZSS 164719-1G. 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.
