US
July 1950- Label and catalog number
- Decca 27112
- Format
- Shellac, 10", 78 RPM · Los Angeles Pressing
- Runout / matrix
WL5698T46AA side variant 1
WL5699T8AB side variant 1
WL5698T27A 6A side variant 2
WL599A21 6B side variant 2
Gary CrosbyPlay A Simple Melody / Sam's Song
Vinyl pressings
Play A Simple Melody / Sam's Song
by Gary Crosby · 1950
16 pressings5 countriesVocalJazzPop
Play A Simple Melody / Sam's Song was first pressed on vinyl in 1950. 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 Play A Simple Melody / Sam's Song
9 pressings came out in 1950, the album's first year, in 4 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
July 1950- Label and catalog number
- Decca 27112
- Format
- Shellac, 10", 78 RPM · Los Angeles Pressing
- Runout / matrix
WL5698A19 ⓺A side stamped, variant 1
WL5699A42 6B side stamped, variant 1
WL5698A19 ⓺A side stamped, variant 2
WL5699A19 6B side stamped, variant 2
US
July 1950- Label and catalog number
- Decca 27112
- Format
- Shellac, 10", 78 RPM · Los Angeles Pressing
- Runout / matrix
WL5698A19 ⑨Runout, side A, stamped
WL5699A19 ⑨Runout, side B, stamped
L 5698Side A Label
L 5699 ★Side B Label
US
1950- Label and catalog number
- Decca 9-27112
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Indianapolis Pressing
- Runout / matrix
45WL5698-2A side runout variant 1
45WL5699-2B side runout variant 1
45WL5698-2 A1 CA side runout variant 2
45WL5699 6 I A1 LB side runout variant 2
US
1950- Label and catalog number
- Decca 27112
- Format
- Shellac, 10", 78 RPM · Los Angeles Pressing
- Runout / matrix
WL5698A6Side A, stamped, variant 1
WL5699A8Side B, stamped, variant 1
WL5698A19 ⑨Side A, stamped, variant 2
WL5699A19 ⑨Side B, stamped, variant 2
US
July 1950- Label and catalog number
- Decca 27112
- Format
- 10", 78 RPM, Promo
- Runout / matrix
L 5698Side A Label
L 5699 ★Side B Label
WL5698A9A side
WL5699T2AB side
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 16 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1950s11 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Australia | Decca Y6251First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1950 | Netherlands | Decca M 33011Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress |
| 1950 | US | Decca 9-27112First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1950 | US | Decca 27112First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1950 | Canada | Decca 27112First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1950 | Netherlands | Decca M 33011First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1950 | US | Decca 27112First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1950 | US | Decca 27112First year10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo | 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1950 | US | Decca 27112First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1950 | US | Decca 27112First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1950 | US | Decca 27112Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
Year unknown5 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Netherlands | Decca M 33011Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | New Zealand | Decca Y6251Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | US | Decca 271127", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | US | Decca 9-271127", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | US | Decca 27112Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
Tracklist
- APlay A Simple Melody2:50
- BSam's Song (The Happy Tune)2:51
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Play A Simple Melody / Sam's Song are there?
16 vinyl pressings of Play A Simple Melody / Sam's Song are listed here, from 5 countries.
When was Play A Simple Melody / Sam's Song first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1950, in US, Canada, Netherlands, Australia. One of them is Decca 27112, released July 1950.
How do I tell if my copy of Play A Simple Melody / Sam's Song is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 27112, 9-27112, M 33011, Y6251) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WL5698T46A and WL5699T8A. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Play A Simple Melody / Sam's Song 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.