Vinyl pressings
by Brian Eno · 1975
The Lion Sleeps Tonight was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. 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 1975, 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.
WIPX 1400 - 2 G 1 E=mc2A side runout, variant 1
WIPX 1400 - 2 A dedicated to R.Saarikko's shoes and I. Macdonald's polish 1B side runout, variant 1
WIPX 1400 - 2 M 1 E=mc2A side runout, variant 2
WIPX 1400 - 2 M dedicated to R.Saarikko's shoes and I. Macdonald's polish 1B side runout, variant 2
IS 036-A-1 KENDUN B T1Side A
IS 036-B-1 KENDUN B T1Side B
IS 036-A (MR) | KENDUN A △97916Runout side A
IS 036-B (MR) KENDUN A △97916-XRunout side B
IS 036-ALabels
IS036-A-1 KENDUN B T1Runout, both sides (identical)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Canada | Island Records IS036XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Canada | Island Records IS 036XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | France | Island Records 6138 073First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Germany | Island Records 16 152 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Italy | Island Records WIP 26233First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Japan | Island Records ILR-10861First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Spain | Island Records 16152 A / Island Records 16.152-AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | Island Records WIP.6233First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Island Records WIP 6233 / Island Records WIP.6233First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Island Records IS-036First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Island Records IS-036First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | US | Island Records IS 036First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Island Records IS-036First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
13 vinyl pressings of The Lion Sleeps Tonight are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, US, Canada, France and more. One of them is Island Records WIP.6233.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WIP.6233, WIP 6233, IS-036, IS 036) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WIPX 1400 - 2 G 1 E=mc2 and WIPX 1400 - 2 A dedicated to R.Saarikko's shoes and I. Macdonald's polish 1. 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.
