Vinyl pressings
by Carole King · 1977
Simple Things 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.
26 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 20 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.
SMAS-1-11667 Z2• 3 ✲Runout A, variant 1
SMAS-2-11667 Z3•• 4 ✲Runout B, variant 1
SMAS-1-11667 Z2• 2 ✲Runout A, variant 2
SMAS-2-11667 Z2• 1 ✲Runout B, variant 2
SMAS-1-11667 Z15 #1 0Run out, side A / etched [except 0 / stamped]
SMAS-2-11667 Z12 #1 0Run out, side B / etched [except 0 / stamped]
SMAS1-11667Label, side A
SMAS2-11667Label, side B
SMAS-1-11667 Z5 #5 •-------◁Variant 1 - runout side A, etched
SMAS-2-11667 Z5 #3 •-------◁Variant 1 - runout side B, etched
SMAS-1-11667 Z5 #2 •-------◁Variant 2 - runout side A, etched
SMAS-2-11667 Z5 #4 •-------◁Variant 2 - runout side B, etched
EA-ST1 11667-1Side 1 runout - stamped
EA-ST2 11667-1Side 2 runout - stamped
HTMSide 1 & 2 runout - etched
EA-ST1 11667-1 G / HTMSide A Stamped / Etched
EA-ST2 11667-1 G / HTMSide B Stamped / Etched
85 180 A-1Side A runout, stamped
85 180 B-1Side B runout, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | EMI 8442 / Capitol Records 8442First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Australia | Capitol Records ST-11667First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Brazil | Capitol Records SMAS 11667First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Brazil | Capitol Records SMAS-11667First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Capitol Records SMAS-11667First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Colombia | Capitol Records 11541First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Avatar Records 2C 068 85180First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 064-85 180First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Greece | Capitol Records 14C 064-85180First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Guatemala | Capitol Records SMAS 11667First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Israel | Capitol Records SMAS-11667First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Capitol Records 3C064-85180 / Avatar Records 3C064-85180First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-80875First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-80875First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Mexico | Capitol Records SLEM-731First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Axis AX 1012LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1825 / Rockingale Records MOVLP1825LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Netherlands | Music On Vinyl MOVLP3432LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Capitol Records SN-16057LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
34 vinyl pressings of Simple Things are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1977 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Germany, Argentina and more. One of them is Avatar Records SMAS-11667, released July 18, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SMAS-11667, EA-ST 11667, 1C 064-85 180, 8442) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SMAS-1-11667 Z2• 3 ✲ and SMAS-2-11667 Z3•• 4 ✲. 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.
