Vinyl pressings
by Danny Elfman · 1984
Gratitude was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 5 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.
MCA-4272-SS3 STERLING ◈-P-◈Runout, Side A, etched; STERLING ◈-P-◈ stamped
MCA-4273-SS3 ☆ STERLING ◈-P-◈Runout, Side B, etched; STERLING ◈-P-◈ stamped
MCA4272Label Side A
MCA4273Label Side B
MCA - 4272 - SS1 ⧈-G-⧈ STERLINGRunout A
MCA - 4273 - SS1 ⧈-G-⧈ STERLINGRunout B
MCA4272Label A
MCA4273Label B
MCA-4304-ASR2. [Artisan logo] ◈-P-◈Runout Both Sides
MCA 4304Label Both Sides
MCA - 4272 - SS2Runout Side A
MCA - 4273 - SS3Runout Side B
MCA4272Label Side A
MCA4273Label Side B
MCA-4272-SS3 STERLING ◈-P-◈Runout, Side A, etched; STERLING ◈-P-◈ stamped
MCA-4273-SS3 ☆ STERLING ◈-P-◈Runout, Side B, etched; STERLING ◈-P-◈ stamped
MCA4272Label Side A
MCA4273Label Side B
M-CAT-943·A1 JA 7 Z VRunout side A
M-CAT-943-B1 [symbol] VRunout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | MCA Records 0-23532First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-23532First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Italy | MCA Records 25 9104-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 943First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | MCA Records MCA 943First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records MCA-23532First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records L33-1260First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Single · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Single · Promo |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records L33-1249First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Maxi-Single · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Maxi-Single · Promo |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records MCA-23532First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records MCA-23532First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | MCA Records 7-525607", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Italy | MCA Records 25 9021-77", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records PROMO 231 / MCA Records PROMO 2317", 45 RPM, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-525607", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-525607", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
17 vinyl pressings of Gratitude are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-23532.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-23532, L33-1260, L33-1249, MCAT 943) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-4272-SS3 STERLING ◈-P-◈ and MCA-4273-SS3 ☆ STERLING ◈-P-◈. 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.
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
2003 · 20 pressings
Beetlejuice (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
1988 · 18 pressings
Batman (Original Motion Picture Score)
1989 · 15 pressings
So-Lo
1984 · 13 pressings
Scrooged (Original Motion Picture Score)
2019 · 12 pressings
Edward Scissorhands (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
1990 · 11 pressings
