Vinyl pressings
by Billy Paul · 1977
Only The Strong Survive 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.
20 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 12 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.I.R. BA - ZS8-3635-3 F/W NSRunout side A
P.I.R. BB - ZS8-3635-4 F/W NS pRunout side B
AA-AF ZS8 3635-3Label side A
AA-AF ZS8 3635-4Label side B
P.I.R. BA-ZS8-3635-3 F/W NS 2 pstereo runout
P.I.R. BA-ZS8-3635-1 F/W NS 2 pmono runout
ZS8 3635-3stereo label
ZS8 3635-1mono label
S PIR 5699 A1Side A Runout Stamped
S PIR 5699 B1Side B Runout Stamped
S PIR 5699-A3 A - CHand Etched Runout, Side A
S PIR 5699-B3 A - CHand Etched Runout, Side B
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 | Epic 40.104First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Australia | Philadelphia International Records PS 12004First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Australia | Philadelphia International Records PS 1015First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | Canada | Columbia ZS8 3635 / Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3635First year7" | 7" |
| 1977 | Europe | Philadelphia International Records PIR 5699First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Germany | Philadelphia International Records PIR S 5699 / Philadelphia International Records PIR 5699First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Germany | Philadelphia International Records PIR S 5699 / Philadelphia International Records S 5699First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Greece | Epic PIR 5699First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | Jamaica | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3635First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Mexico | Epic SC-71684First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Philadelphia International Records PIR 5699 / Philadelphia International Records 5699First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1977 | Portugal | Philadelphia International Records PIR 6924First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 5699First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 5699First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 5699First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
23 vinyl pressings of Only The Strong Survive are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3635.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZS8 3635, ASD 400, S PIR 5699, 40.104) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P.I.R. BA - ZS8-3635-3 F/W NS and P.I.R. BB - ZS8-3635-4 F/W NS p. 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.
