US
1973- Label and catalog number
- Decca DL 75397Decca DL7-5397
- Format
- LP, Album · Pinckneyville Pressing
- Runout / matrix
MG 7-13178 W4A Side Etched
MG 7-13179 W4B Side Etched
◈ P ◈A Side Stamped
◈ P ◈B Side Stamped
Vinyl pressings
Drift Away
by Dobie Gray · 1973
23 pressings13 countriesPop RockSoulRockFunk / Soul
Drift Away was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. 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 Drift Away
18 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 11 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
1973- Label and catalog number
- Decca DL 75397Decca DL7-5397
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Gloversville Pressing
- Runout / matrix
MG 7-13178 W4 ⧈-G-⧈Runout A, variant 1
MG 7-13179 W4 ⧈-G-⧈Runout B, variant 1
MG 7-13178 W3 ⧈-G-⧈Runout A, variant 2
MG 7-13179 W3 ⧈-G-⧈Runout B, variant 2
US
1973- Label and catalog number
- Decca DL 75397Decca DL7-5397
- Format
- LP, Album · Terre Haute Pressing
- Runout / matrix
T1 BBB MG7-13178 W5 A 3Side A etched / A stamped
T1 BBB MG7-13179-W6 C 2Side B etched / C stamped
7-13178Side A label
7-13179Side B label
US
1973- Label and catalog number
- Decca DL7-5397Decca DL 75397
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Gloversville Pressing
- Runout / matrix
MG 7-13178 W3 ⧈-G-⧈ |Runout A
MG 7-13179 W3 ⧈-G-⧈Runout B
7-13178Label A
7-13179＊Label B
US
1973- Label and catalog number
- Decca DL 75397Decca DL7-5397
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
DECCA-75397-A-1 IC ASide A etched
DECCA-75397-B-1 6/7/73 IC ASide B etched
7-13178Side A Label
7-13179*Side B Label
US
1973- Label and catalog number
- MCA Records MCA-515Decca DL7-5397
- Format
- LP, Album · Pinckneyville Pressing
- Runout / matrix
MG 7-13173 W4 ◈-P-◈
MG 7-13174 W4 ◈-P-◈
7-13178Label side A
7-13179Label side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 23 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s21 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | MCA Records MAPS-6470First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Decca DL7-5397First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | MCA Records MAPS 6470First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | MCA Records MAPS 6470First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | MCA Records MCA-5157First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Japan | MCA Records MCA-5157First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | New Zealand | MCA Records MAPS-6470First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Peru | MCA Records MCA-804First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Singapore | MCA Records DL 75397 / MCA Records DL7-5397First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | MCA Records SMCA.578First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | MCA Records MUPS 489First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Decca DL 75397 / Decca DL7-5397First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Decca DL 75397 / Decca DL7-5397First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Decca DL 75397 / Decca DL7-5397First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Decca DL7-5397 / Decca DL 75397First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | MCA Records MAPS-6470LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-515 / Decca DL7-5397LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1Drift Away3:57
- A2The Time I Love You The Most3:13
- A3L.A. Lady2:53
- A4We Had It All2:43
- A5Now That I'm Without You3:26
- B1Rockin' Chair3:34
- B2Lay Back2:22
- B3City Stars3:32
- B4Sweet Lovin' Woman2:42
- B5Caddo Queen3:29
- B6Eddie's Song2:46
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Drift Away are there?
23 vinyl pressings of Drift Away are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
When was Drift Away first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Decca DL 75397.
How do I tell if my copy of Drift Away is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DL 75397, DL7-5397, MCA-515, MUPS 489) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MG 7-13178 W4 and MG 7-13179 W4. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Drift Away 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.
