Vinyl pressings
by Gang Of Four · 1982
Songs Of The Free was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 10 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.
EMC 3412 A - 2U - 1 - 1.. 1Side 1, stamped - Variant 1
EMC 3412 B - 1U - 1 - 1 - TY cbsSide 2, stamped - Variant 1
EMC 3412 A - 1U - 2 - 1 -Side 1, stamped - Variant 2
TimTom-cbsSide 1, etched - Variant 2
1-23683-A-S̶W̶2̶ WW1 #2 ─̶◁̶ 0Side A runout
1-23683-B-LW1 #2 96 ✲̶ 0Side B runout
1-23683.A-S̶W̶2̶ WW1 # <3 ─◁Runout side A etched, variant 1
1-23683•B.WW1 ─◁Runout side B etched, variant 1
1-23683-A-WW3 - "웃" ─◁Runout side A etched, variant 2
1-23683•B.WW1 #2 ─◁Runout side B etched, variant 2
1-23683-A LW2 ✲Side A runout, variant 1
1-23683-B LW2 ✲Side B runout, variant 1
1-23683-A LW2 • 1 ✲Side A runout, variant 2
1-23683-B LW2 • ✲Side B runout, variant 2
1-23683-A JW5 JS 0Side A runout
1•23683•1B• JW1 # 0Side B runout
1-23683-A-S̶W̶2̶ WW1 #2 ─̶◁̶ 0Side A runout
1-23683-B-JW1 #1 0Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | EMI EMC 3412First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Australia | EMI EMC 3412First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Brazil | EMI 31C 061 64792First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92-36831First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92-36831 / Warner Bros. Records 92 36831First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | EMI 1A 064-64792 / EMI 64792First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | EMI 14C 062-64792First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | EMI 14C 062-64792LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Japan | EMI EMS-81503First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | EMI EMS-81503First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | New Zealand | EMI EMC 3412 / EMI 062 64 792First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Portugal | EMI 11C 078-64792First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records 1-23683 / Warner Bros. Records 9 23683-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | UK | EMI EMC 3412 / EMI 0C 062-64 792First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records 1-23683 / Warner Bros. Records 9 23683-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | US | Parlophone 0825646083909 / Warner Bros. Records 0825646083909LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | US | Matador OLE1568LPLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
24 vinyl pressings of Songs Of The Free are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1982 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is EMI EMC 3412, released May 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMC 3412, 1-23683, 9 23683-1, 31C 061 64792) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMC 3412 A - 2U - 1 - 1.. 1 and EMC 3412 B - 1U - 1 - 1 - TY cbs. 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.
