US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Motown M 1381F
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
M1381F-63436-S-03B [H]Runout, side A, etched / [stamped]
M1381F-63436-S-03B #14 [H]Runout, side B, etched / [stamped]
63436-SLabel Side A
63108-SLabel Side B
CommodoresSweet Love / Better Never Than Forever
Vinyl pressings
Sweet Love / Better Never Than Forever
by Commodores · 1975
26 pressings11 countriesSoulFunk / Soul
Sweet Love / Better Never Than Forever 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Sweet Love / Better Never Than Forever
16 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 6 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
1975- Label and catalog number
- Motown M 1381 F
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM
US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Motown M 1381F
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Hollywood Pressing
- Runout / matrix
m1381F-63436-S-03B HRunout, side A, etched / [stamped]
m1381F-63108-S-03B HRunout, side B, etched / [stamped]
63436-SLabel Side A
63108-SLabel Side B
US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Motown M 1381F
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene · Monarch Pressing
- Runout / matrix
M1381F-63436-S-06C (MR) H ∆99273Runout, side A
M1381F-63108-S-06C (MR) I __ ∆99274Runout, side B
63436-SLabel Side A
63108-SLabel Side B
US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Motown M 1381 F
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Motown M 1381 F
- Format
- 7", Limited Edition, Promo
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.
1970s25 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Canada | Motown M 1381FFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Canada | Motown M 1381FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Misprint |
| 1975 | Italy | Tamla Motown TSM-NP 64247First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown TMM 923First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Panama | Motown 1684First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 1018First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Motown M 1381FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | US | Motown M 1381 FFirst year7", Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited | 7", Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited |
| 1975 | US | Motown M 1381 FFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | US | Motown M 1381F AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 1975 | US | Motown M 1381FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Motown M 1381FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Motown M 1381FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | US | Motown M 1381F AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1975 | US | Motown M 1381FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
Year unknown1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Jamaica | Not On Label7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
Tracklist
- ASweet Love3:20
- BBetter Never Than Forever3:48
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Sweet Love / Better Never Than Forever are there?
26 vinyl pressings of Sweet Love / Better Never Than Forever are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1975 and 1977.
When was Sweet Love / Better Never Than Forever first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Canada, Italy and more. One of them is Motown M 1381F.
How do I tell if my copy of Sweet Love / Better Never Than Forever is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M 1381F, M 1381 F, M 1381F A, TMG 1018) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M1381F-63436-S-03B [H] and M1381F-63436-S-03B #14 [H]. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Sweet Love / Better Never Than Forever 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.
