Vinyl pressings
by Dr. Hook · 1979
Sometimes You Win was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
35 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 24 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.
SOO-12023 SW-1-12023 F.-5' ✲ WALLY MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side A
SOO-12023 SW-2-12023 F.-6. ✲ WALLY MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side B
SW-1-12018 F-5 ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WALLYA-side runout
SW-2-12018 F-6 ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WALLYB-side runout
SUB A SW-1-12018 F-1#1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally 0Side A runout
SW-2-12018 F-1#6 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally 0Side B runout
SW 1-12018Side A label
SW 2-2018Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | Capitol Records 8816First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Australia | Capitol Records ST.12018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Barbados | Capitol Records SW-12018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C 064 86035First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Capitol Records SW-12018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Capitol Records SOO-12023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Capitol Records SOO-512023First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Colombia | Capitol Records 11731First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Capitol Records 1C 064-86 045First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 064-86 045 / Capitol Records 1C 264-86 045First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Capitol Records 31 889 9LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1979 | Greece | Capitol Records 14C 062-86035LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Italy | Capitol Records 3C 064 86035First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-81283First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Mexico | Capitol Records SLEM-931First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Greece | Capitol Records 14C 062-86045LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Korea | Capitol Records OLE-304 (SW-12018)LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Venezuela | Capitol Records ST-481LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Taiwan | Pop MH-7577LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| 1981 | Canada | Capitol Records SN-16229LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | UK | Fame FA 3012LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Spain | Capitol Records 046-086.045LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | Music For Pleasure 10C 046-086.045LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Panama | Capitol Records SW-12018LP, Album | LP, Album |
47 vinyl pressings of Sometimes You Win are listed here, from 29 countries, released between 1979 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Australasia, Ireland and more. One of them is Capitol Records SOO-12023.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SOO-12023, E-EST 12018, SW-12018, SW-2018) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SOO-12023 SW-1-12023 F.-5' ✲ WALLY MASTERED BY CAPITOL and SOO-12023 SW-2-12023 F.-6. ✲ WALLY MASTERED BY CAPITOL. 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.
