Vinyl pressings
by Billy Preston · 1972
Music Is My Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 8 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.
TI A&M SP 3547 RE-I TIEtched Side A
TI A&M SP 3548 RE-I TIEtched Side B
(SP-3547)Label Side A
(SP-3548)Label Side B
A&M SP 3547 RE 1 M1 △17457 (1-2)variant 1 - Side A
A&M SP 3548 RE 1 M1 △17457-X (1-2)-2variant 1 - Side B
A&M SP 3547 RE 1 M1 △17457 (1-3)variant 2 - Side A
A&M SP 3548 RE 1 M1 △17457-X (1-1)variant 2 - Side B
A&M SP 3547 RE1 P1A Side Etched
A&M SP 3548 RE1 P1B Side Etched
SP-3547A Side Center Label
SP-3548B Side Center Label
A&M SP 3547 RE-1 M1 (MR) △17457 (5)Runout A
A&M SP 3548 RE 1 M1 (MR) △17457-XRunout B
SP-3547Label A
SP-3548Label B
A&M SP 3547 RE1 M1 (MR) △17457 (1-2)Runout A
A&M SP 3548 RE1 M1 (MR) △17457-X (1-2)-2Runout B
SP-3547Label A
SP-3548Label B
AMLS 63516 A-1◇XRunout side A, variant 1
AMLS 63516 B-1◇XRunout side B, variant 1
AMLS 63 516 A-1◇ X I LRunout side A, variant 2
AMLS 63516 B-1◇ X I JRunout side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Canada | A&M Records SP 3516First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | A&M Records SP 3516First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Ecuador | A&M Records 820-021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | A&M Records 86 494 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Italy | A&M Records SLAM 63516First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | New Zealand | A&M Records AML 34705First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | A&M Records AMLS 63516First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | A&M Records SP 3516First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | A&M Records SP 3516First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | A&M Records SP 3516 / A&M Records SP-3516First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | A&M Records SP 3516 / A&M Records SMAS-94933LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1972 | US | A&M Records SP 3516LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1972 | US | A&M Records SP 3516 / A&M Records SP-3516First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | A&M Records SP 3516 / A&M Records SMAS-94933LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1972 | Venezuela | A&M Records LPS-88.058 / A&M Records LPS 88058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Pickwick SPC-3750LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Israel | A&M Records SP 3516LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Netherlands | A&M Records 88 668 XAT / A&M Records SP 3516LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
30 vinyl pressings of Music Is My Life are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1972 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Canada, Ecuador and more. One of them is A&M Records SP 3516, released October 8, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 3516, AMLS 63516, 820-021, 86 494 IT) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TI A&M SP 3547 RE-I TI and TI A&M SP 3548 RE-I TI. 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.
