Vinyl pressings
by Billy Joel · 1981
Songs In The Attic was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
44 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 25 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.
º T1 AL 37461 2M STERLINGA Side Runout
º T1 BL 37461 - 2L STERLINGB Side Runout
AL 37461A Side Label
BL 37461B Side Label
AL 37461 2AD STERLING P oSide A runout, variant 1
BL 37461 2J STERLING P oSide B runout, variant 2
AL 37461-2J C STERLING P oSide A runout, variant 2
BL 37461 2B C STERLING P oSide B runout, variant 2
HAL-47461-1D T1 oRunout side A
HBL 47461-1A COLUMBIA NY Λ 19 T2Runout side B
HAL 47461Label side A
HBL 47461Label side B
1S 37461-2AA A2 o STERLINGRunout A, variant 1
1S BL 37461 2 AB A10 o STERLINGRunout B, variant 1
1 S AL-37461-2F o A3 STERLINGRunout A, variant 2
1 S BL-37461-2E o A8 STERLINGRunout B, variant 2
AL 37461 2ADEtched Side A, Variant 1
BL 37461-2A-2Etched Side B, Variant 1
AL 37461 2ACEtched Side A, Variant 2
0 BL 37461-2A-2Etched Side B, Variant 2
G1 AL 37461 2BC B8 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢSide A runout, etched except "sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ" stamped
G1 BL 37461 2BG B3 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢSide B runout, etched except "sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ" stamped
AL 37461Side A label
BL 37461Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | Columbia 20.212First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | CBS SBP 237681First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Australia | CBS SBP 237681First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Brazil | CBS 138510 / Discos CBS 138510First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Colombia | CBS 14-1502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Costa Rica | CBS 100.630First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS 32364 / CBS CBS 32364LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS CBS 85273First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS CBS 85273 / Family Productions CBS 85273 (TC 37461)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS CBS 85273 / CBS CBS 32364First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | CBS CBS 85273First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony 20AP 2130First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Ireland | CBS S CBS 85273First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Israel | CBS 85273 / Family Productions TC 37461First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | CBS CBS 85273First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 2-38612", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Europe | CBS 19075939221 / Columbia 19075939221LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2024 | US | CBS 19075939221 / Columbia 19075939221LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS 32364 / CBS 85273LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS 32364 / Family Productions 32364LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS 32364 / Family Productions 32364LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 32364 / CBS 32364LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 32364 / CBS 32364LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
61 vinyl pressings of Songs In The Attic are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1981 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Canada, Argentina and more. One of them is Columbia TC 37461, released September 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TC 37461, HC 47461, CBS 85273, 85273) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, º T1 AL 37461 2M STERLING and º T1 BL 37461 - 2L STERLING. 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.
