US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Columbia PC 33280
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
PAL 33280 1CSide A, variant 1
PAL 33280 1L TML-MSide B, variant 1
PAL 33280 1K TML-MSide A, variant 3
PAL 33280 1E TML-MSide B, variant 3
Vinyl pressings
That's The Way Of The World
by Earth, Wind & Fire · 1975
69 pressings22 countriesSoulFunkSoundtrackFunk / Soul
That's The Way Of The World was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. 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 That's The Way Of The World
37 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 19 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
1975- Label and catalog number
- Columbia PC 33280
- Format
- LP, Album · Santa Maria Pressing, TML Customatrix, Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
\ S PAL 33280 IM TML-S oVar. 1 - Runout Side A
\ S PBL 33280 IH TML-M oVar. 1 - Runout Side B
\ SS PAL 33280 1M TML-S o A6Var. 2 - Etched side A; Stamped TML-S o
\ S PBL 33280 1H TML-M o A4Var. 2 - Etched side B; Stamped TML-S o
US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Columbia PC 33280
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Pitman Pressing, Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
P PAL 33280-IN wcw AZRunout side A
P PBL 33280-IL TML-MRunout side B
AL 33280Label side A
BL 33280Label side B
US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Columbia PC 33280
- Format
- LP, Album · Terre Haute Pressing, Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
TI PBL 33280 IF TML-S D17Side A runout
TI PBL 33280 IE TML ISide B runout
PAL 33280 1C TML-M DVariant 2: Side A runout
TI PBL 33280-1F TML-S CVariant 2: Side B runout
US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Columbia PC 33280
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Pitman Pressing, Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
PAL 33280-1AB ARunout Side A
PBL 33280-1AD ARunout Side B
AL 33280Label Side A
BL 33280Label Side B
US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Columbia PC 33280
- Format
- LP, Album · Santa Maria Pressing, TML No Customatrix, Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
\ S PAL 33280 IM TML-S A3Side A runout, variant 1
\ S PBL 33280 IH TML-MSide B runout, variant 1
\ S PAL 33280 IL TML-M ASide A runout, variant 2
\ S PBL 33280 IH TML-MSide B runout, variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 69 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s42 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | CBS SBP 234654First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Australia | CBS SBP 234654First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Brazil | CBS 137888First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Brazil | CBS 137888First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Colombia | CBSFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Ecuador | CBS SE-8365First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Europe | CBS CBS 80575 / CBS PC 33280First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Italy | CBS CBS 80575First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Jamaica | Columbia PC 33280First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPO 67First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPO 67 / CBS/Sony SOPO-67First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPO 67 / CBS/Sony SOPO-67First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Mexico | Columbia CLS-5474First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 474298First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Peru | CBS Columbia S.E. 8365First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
1980s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Spain | CBS S 80575LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | UK | CBS CBS 32054 / CBS 32054LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | CBS CBS 32054 / CBS 32054LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-159 / Columbia MFSL 1-159LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
2010s6 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Germany | Speakers Corner Records SPCO-SPE-33280LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2012 | US | Impex RecordsLP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2013 | US | Impex Records IMP6015LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| 2013 | US | Columbia PC 33280LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 2013 | Europe | Speakers Corner Records PC 33280 / Columbia PC 33280LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2013 | Worldwide | Impex Records AIMX 6015LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
2020s6 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2664 / Columbia PC 33280LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered |
| 2021 | Europe | Columbia PC 33280 / Music On Vinyl MOVLP2664LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2022 | Italy | ColumbiaLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2023 | US | Impex Records IMP6015 / Columbia PC 33280LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress, Stereo · Limited |
| 2025 | Europe | Columbia PC 33280 / Music On Vinyl MOVLP2664LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2026 | US | Columbia 19958449481 / Legacy 19958449481LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
Year unknown11 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia PC 33280LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 80575LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 32054 / CBS 32054LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS 80575 / CBS CBS 80575LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Columbia 19958449481 / Legacy 19958449481LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 80575 / CBS S 80575LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 33280LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 33280LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Quadraphonic · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Quadraphonic · Limited |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 33280LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 33280LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 33280LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1Shining Star2:50
- A2That's The Way Of The World5:45
- A3Happy Feelin'3:16
- A4All About Love5:30
- B1Yearnin' Learnin'3:41
- B2Reasons4:53
- B3Africano5:10
- B4See The Light5:30
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of That's The Way Of The World are there?
69 vinyl pressings of That's The Way Of The World are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1975 and 2026.
When was That's The Way Of The World first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia PC 33280.
How do I tell if my copy of That's The Way Of The World is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PC 33280, PCQ 33280, CBS 80575, SBP 234654) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL 33280 1C and PAL 33280 1L TML-M. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is That's The Way Of The World 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.
