Vinyl pressings
by Earth, Wind & Fire · 1987
Thinking Of You was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 2 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.
XCS-177542-1A G1 D Herbie Jr :v)Side A runout etched, except D stamped
XCS-177543-1A G1 D Herbie Jr :v) "IN EFFECT" Kevin + Cecil 2nd # 1 !!Side B runout etched, except D stamped
ZSS 177540 A DMM G1 STERLING A 7Runout etched side A
ZSS 177541 1A DMM G1 STERLING /\Runout etched side B
ZSS 177540Label side A
ZSS 177541Label side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | Columbia 12 CXP 7566First year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | US | Columbia 44 07566First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1987 | US | Columbia 38-07695First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | Columbia 38-07695First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Australia | CBS 651373 612", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | Australia | CBS 651373 77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Europe | CBS 651373 6 / CBS CBS 651373 612", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | CBS 651373 7 / CBS CBS 651373 77", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Philippines | CBS CE-EP-18122 / Columbia 44 0756612", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | CBS CBS 651373 7 / CBS 651373 77", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Spain | CBS CBS 651373 7 / CBS 651373 77", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Spain | CBS 651373 6 / CBS CBS 651373 612", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | UK | CBS EWF T212", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | UK | CBS EWF QT212", Single | 12", Single |
| 1988 | UK | CBS EWF T212", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia 44 0756612", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
17 vinyl pressings of Thinking Of You are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, Canada. One of them is Columbia 44 07566.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 44 07566, 38-07695, 12 CXP 7566) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XCS-177542-1A G1 D Herbie Jr :v) and XCS-177543-1A G1 D Herbie Jr :v) "IN EFFECT" Kevin + Cecil 2nd # 1 !!. 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.
