US
1973- Label and catalog number
- Columbia 4-45925
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene · Terre Haute Pressing
- Runout / matrix
ZSS 157749Label A
ZSS 157751Label B
Vinyl pressings
Life Ain't Easy
by Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show · 1973
19 pressings10 countriesPop RockRockPop
Life Ain't Easy 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 Life Ain't Easy
14 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
US
1973- Label and catalog number
- Columbia 4-45925
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Santa Maria Pressing
- Runout / matrix
ZSS 157749Label A
ZSS 157751Label B
US
1973- Label and catalog number
- Columbia 4-45925
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
ZSS 157749-1E.Label A
ZSS 157751-1E.Label B
US
1973- Label and catalog number
- Columbia 4-45925
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono
- Runout / matrix
JZSP 157748Mono Label
JZSS 157749Stereo Label
UK
1973- Label and catalog number
- CBS S CBS 1782
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · 2nd November 1973
- Runout / matrix
CBS S 1782 A1
CBS S 1782 B1
Germany
November 1973- Label and catalog number
- CBS CBS S 1782CBS CBS 1782
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
CBS 1782 • ARunout side A
CBS 1782 • BRunout side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 19 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s19 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | Columbia 4-45925First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | CBS CBS S 1782First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Greece | CBS CBS 301406First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 1782 / CBS CBS 1778First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 1782First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Portugal | CBS CBS 1782First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | South Africa | Date DA.91First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Spain | CBS CBS 1782First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | UK | CBS S CBS 1782First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Columbia 4-45925First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1973 | US | Columbia 4-45925First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1973 | US | Columbia 4-45925First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | Columbia 4-45925First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | CBS CBS S 1782 / CBS CBS 1782First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | CBS BA 4614857", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
Tracklist
- ALife Ain't Easy2:43
- BThe Wonderful Soup Stone3:42
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Life Ain't Easy are there?
19 vinyl pressings of Life Ain't Easy are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
When was Life Ain't Easy first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Germany, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia 4-45925.
How do I tell if my copy of Life Ain't Easy is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4-45925, S CBS 1782, CBS S 1782, CBS 301406) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS 157749 and ZSS 157751. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Life Ain't Easy 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.
