Vinyl pressings
by Billy Preston · 1971
I Wrote A Simple Song was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1971, 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.
A&M SP 3517 P1Side A, Runout Variant 1
A&m SP 3518 P1Side B, Runout Variant 1
A&M SP 3517 P1Side A, Runout Etched Variant 2
P A&M SP 3518 P2Side B, Runout Etched [P Stamped] Variant 2
A&M SP 3517 P1 PSide A runout, P lightly stamped
A&m SP 3518 P1 PSide B runout, P lightly stamped
(SP-3517)Side 1 label
(SP-3518)Side 2 label
A&M SP 3517 M1 △16452Runout Side A [Etched]
A&M SP 3518 M1 △16452-X (3)Runout Side B [Etched]
MR (circled)Runout Sides A/B [Stamped]
A&M SP 3517 M1 △16452Runout Side A [Etched]
A&M SP 3518 M2 -REPL. △17043-X (1)Runout Side B [Etched]
MR (circled)Runout Sides A/B [Stamped]
A&M SP 3517 T1 A 14 T1Runout Side A [Etched]
A&M SP 3518 T2 T1Runout Side B [Etched]
A&M SP 3517 M1 [MR stamp] △16452Runout side A
A&M SP 3518 M2 REPL. △16452-X (3)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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | A&M Records SP-3507First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Australia | A&M Records SAML-934375First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3507First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3507First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | France | A&M Records AMSP 63507First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | A&M Records 85 811 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | India | A&M Records SP-3507 / A&M Records SP 3507First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Israel | A&M Records AMLH 63507First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Mexico | A&M Records AML-S 1087First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | New Zealand | A&M Records SAML-934375First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | South Africa | A&M Records AMLS 63507First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Spain | A&M Records HDAS 371-67 / Hispavox HDAS 371-67First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 63507First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP-3507First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP-3507First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Pickwick SPC-3733 / Pickwick SPC 3733LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Pickwick SPC-3733LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-3507LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | A&M Records 85 811 ITLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | A&M Records GP2043LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | South Korea | Oscar 383LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP 3507LP, Album | LP, Album |
35 vinyl pressings of I Wrote A Simple Song are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1971 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-3507, released November 8, 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-3507, AMLH 63507, SAML-934375, AMSP 63507) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A&M SP 3517 P1 and A&m SP 3518 P1. 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.
