Vinyl pressings
by Carly Simon · 1971
That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be 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.
18 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 9 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.
EKS 45724 A//15189-1-ZRunout (Etched) Side A
EKS 45724 B//15189-1-ZRunout (Etched) Side B
EKS 45724-ALabel Side A
EKS 45724-BLabel Side B
EKS-45724-A SP 2-45-71 STERLINGA-side runout etching version 1
EKS-45724-B SP 2-45-71B-side runout etching version 1
EKS-45724-A SP 2-24 71 STERLINGA-side runout etching version 2
EKS-45724-B SP 2 24 71B-side runout etching version 2
EKS-45724-A-A̶B PH - II - II IIII PR SRunout, side A, etched, variant 1
EKS-45724-B PH - II - III PR SRunout, side B, etched, variant 1
EKS-45724-A-A̶B PH - II - III PR SRunout, side A, etched, variant 2
EKS-45724-B PH - II - II PR SRunout, side B, etched, variant 2
EKS-45724-A CSM STERLINGSide A Runout
EKS-45724-B CSM STERLINGSide B Runout
EKS-45724-ASide A Label
EKS-45724-BSide B Label
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 | Elektra EKM-45724First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Brazil | Elektra EKCS 15.007First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Canada | Elektra E 45724First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Germany | Exulta ELK 12.016 / Exulta ELK 12 016First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Japan | Elektra JET-2066First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | Japan | Elektra JET-2066First year7" | 7" |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Elektra EKS 45724 / Elektra EKS-45724First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Spain | Hispavox H 742First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | UK | Elektra EK 45724First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | UK | Elektra EK 45724First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | UK | Elektra EK 45724First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKS-45724First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKS-45724First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKS-45724First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKS-45724First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Elektra 120167", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
20 vinyl pressings of That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1971 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in Netherlands, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Elektra EKS 45724.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EKS 45724, EK 45724, EKS-45724, EKM-45724) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EKS 45724 A//15189-1-Z and EKS 45724 B//15189-1-Z. 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.
