US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Motown M 00008D1
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
M 00008D1-64988-DV-13B PKYSide A Etchings
M 00008D1-64988-DI-13A PHNSide B Etchings
64988-DVSide A Label
64988-DISide B Label
Carl BeanI Was Born This Way
Vinyl pressings
I Was Born This Way
by Carl Bean · 1977
26 pressings6 countriesSoulDiscoFunk / Soul
I Was Born This Way 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.
How to spot a first pressing of I Was Born This Way
8 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 3 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.
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Motown M 1438F
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Motown M 1438F
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene
- Runout / matrix
M 1438F-64988-SV-06A TM/JR —△104223Runout, Side A, etched
M 1438F-64988-SI-06A TM/JR —△104222Runout, Side B, etched
64988-SVLabel, Side A
64988-SILabel, Side B
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Motown M 1438F
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Promo
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Motown M 1438F
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
64988-SVLabel Side A
64988-SILabel Side B
UK
1977- Label and catalog number
- Motown TMG 1108
- Format
- 7"
- Runout / matrix
YTMG 1108 A-1A Side Runout - Stamped
YTMG 1108 B-1B Side Runout - Stamped
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 26 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s11 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Canada | Motown M 00008D1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | UK | Motown TMG 1108First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | UK | Motown TMG 1108First year7" | 7" |
| 1977 | US | Motown M 1438FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Motown M 00008D1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | Motown M 00008D112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | US | Motown M 1438FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | Motown M 1438FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Motown M 1438FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1978 | Brazil | Motown MCS-0507" | 7" |
| 1978 | South Africa | Motown TMJ 60012", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
1980s8 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | 10 Records TEN 1107", 45 RPM, Sampler | 7", 45 RPM, Sampler |
| 1985 | UK | 10 Records TEN 110-1212", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | 10 Records TEN110-12DJ12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | UK | 10 Records TEN 1107", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | US | Next Plateau Records Inc. NP5003612", 45 RPM, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1985 | US | Next Plateau Records Inc. NP5003612", 45 RPM, Promo, Reissue · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Next Plateau Records Inc. NP5003812", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1986 | US | Next Plateau Records Inc. NP5003812", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
1990s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | US | Next Plateau Records Inc. 183-445-038-112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
| 1994 | US | Red Ribbon Records RRR-0369-112" | 12" |
| 1994 | US | Red Ribbon Records RRR-0369-412", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
2000s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | US | West End Records WES 5014-112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue, Remastered | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2006 | US | West End Records WES 5014-1-212", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Remastered | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Remastered |
2010s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | UK | West End Records WEBMG0712", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Remastered | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Remastered |
2020s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | UK | West End Records WEBMG07RX12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
Tracklist
- AI Was Born This Way (Vocal)6:31
- BI Was Born This Way (Instrumental)5:51
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of I Was Born This Way are there?
26 vinyl pressings of I Was Born This Way are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1977 and 2020.
When was I Was Born This Way first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Motown M 00008D1.
How do I tell if my copy of I Was Born This Way is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M 00008D1, M 1438F, TMG 1108) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M 00008D1-64988-DV-13B PKY and M 00008D1-64988-DI-13A PHN. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is I Was Born This Way on vinyl worth?
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.