US
1978- Label and catalog number
- Horizon SP 732
- Format
- LP, Album · Santa Maria
- Runout / matrix
I S SP-763-S1 4 2A-side runout, etched
I S SP 764 S1 B 2B-side runout, etched
TML-MSides A & B runout, stamped
SP-763A-side label
Vinyl pressings
City Lights
by Dr. John · 1978
20 pressings9 countriesSoul-JazzJazz-RockRhythm & BluesCool Jazz
City Lights was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 City Lights
16 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 8 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
1978- Label and catalog number
- Horizon SP 732
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Pitman Pressing
- Runout / matrix
p SP-763-P2 TML-SA-side runout variant 1
p SP-764-P1 TLM-M BB-side runout variant 1
p SP-763-P1 TML-MA-side runout variant 2
p SP 764 P1 TML-MB-side runout variant 2
US
1978- Label and catalog number
- Horizon SP-732
- Format
- LP, Album · Terre Haute pressing
- Runout / matrix
T \ SP- 763 - T2A-side etched - variant 1
TML-SA-side stamped - variant 1
T \ SP 764 T1B-side etched - variant 1
TML-MB-side stamped - variant 1
US
1978- Label and catalog number
- Horizon SP 732
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo · Santa Maria Pressing
- Runout / matrix
\S SP-763-S1 TML-M A2Runout Side A
\S SP 764 S1 TML-M B2Runout Side B
US
1978- Label and catalog number
- Horizon SP-732
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo · Terre Haute Pressing
- Runout / matrix
T \ SP-763-T2 TML-S B2A-side runout
T \ SP 764 T2 TML-S A9B-side runout
SP-763A-side label
SP-764B-side label
US
1978- Label and catalog number
- Horizon SP-732
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo · Pitman Pressing
- Runout / matrix
P SP-763-P2 TML-S 1 AA-side runout
P SP 764 P2 TML-S 1B-side runout
SP-763A-side label
SP-764B-side label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 20 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s17 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Horizon L 36731 / Horizon L36731First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Horizon SP 732First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Horizon SP-732First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Europe | Horizon AMLJ 732First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Horizon HOZ-6002 / A&M Records HOZ-6002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Horizon HOZ-6002 / A&M Records HOZ-6002First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Horizon L 36731First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Spain | A&M Records AMLJ 732First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Horizon AMLJ 732First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Horizon AMLJ 732First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1978 | US | Horizon SP 732First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Horizon SP 732First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Horizon SP 732First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Horizon SP-732First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP-732LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
1980s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Europe | A&M Records 390732-1 / A&M Records 390 732 - 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
2010s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Italy | A&M RecordsLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2017 | Italy | A&M RecordsLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Tracklist
- A1Dance The Night Away With You4:20
- A2Street Side5:59
- A3Wild Honey4:08
- A4Rain4:47
- B1Snake Eyes6:44
- B2Fire Of Love3:21
- B3Sonata/He's A Hero5:18
- B4City Lights3:56
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of City Lights are there?
20 vinyl pressings of City Lights are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1978 and 2017.
When was City Lights first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Horizon SP 732.
How do I tell if my copy of City Lights is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 732, SP-732, AMLJ 732, L 36731) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, I S SP-763-S1 4 2 and I S SP 764 S1 B 2. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is City Lights 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.
