UK
December 1990- Label and catalog number
- Epic GEO 3
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
GEO 3 A1 TY2 ⋀Side A runout
GEO 3 B1 TY2 ⋀Side B runout
GEO 3 A✩Side A label
GEO 3 B✩Side B label
Vinyl pressings
Freedom!
by George Michael · 1990
24 pressings11 countriesSynth-popSoulFunk / SoulPop
Freedom! was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. 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 Freedom!
21 pressings came out in 1990, 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.
UK
December 1990- Label and catalog number
- Epic GEO T3
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
GEO.T.3.A1 < TY2Side A runout etched / stamped
GEO.T.3.B1 < TY2Side B runout etched / stamped
UK
December 1990- Label and catalog number
- Epic GEOM 3Epic GEO 3
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
GEO-3-A1 TY2 ARunout side A
GEO-3-B1 TY2 ARunout side B
GEO 3 A✩Label side A
GEO 3 B✩Label side B
UK
December 1990- Label and catalog number
- Epic GEO 3
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
GEO 3 A1 TY2 ARunout side A
GEO 3 B1 TY2 ARunout side B
UK
1990- Label and catalog number
- Epic XPR 1594
- Format
- 12", Single, Promo
- Runout / matrix
XPR 1594 A1Runout A: Hand etched
XPR 1594 B-1Runout B: Hand etched
TY2Runout A & B: Machine Stamped
US
1990- Label and catalog number
- Columbia 44 73584Columbia 44-73584
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM
- Runout / matrix
XSS 73584A-1A | G | VLADOA-Side Runout Etching
XSS 73584B-1A | G | VLADOB-Side Runout Etching
XSS 73584A-1A G (A) VLADO B2A-Side Runout Etching (Var. 1)
XSS 73584B-1A L∙G| (A) VLADO A3B-Side Runout Etching (Var. 1)
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 24 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1990s22 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Brazil | CBS 52.192First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | Costa Rica | CBS 7118590First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | Europe | Epic PRO 609First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | Europe | Epic 656390 6First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | Europe | Epic 656390 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | Spain | Epic ARIE 2578First year7", Promo, Single Sided · Promo | 7", Promo, Single Sided · Promo |
| 1990 | Spain | Epic EPC 656390 6First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | UK | Epic XPR 1594First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | US | Columbia 44 73584 / Columbia 44-73584First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1990 | US | Columbia 38-73559First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1990 | US | Columbia ACD 73584 / Columbia XSS 73584First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | Europe | Epic 656390 6First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | Europe | Epic 656390 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | Australia | Epic 656390 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | Australia | Epic 656390 6First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
2010s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | UK, Europe & US | Sony Music 8887514533112", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc |
| 2017 | UK & Ireland | Sony Music 889853750375 / Aegean 8898537503757", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Remastered | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Remastered |
Tracklist
- AFreedom! (LP Version)6:30
- BFreedom! (Back To Reality Mix)6:12
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Freedom! are there?
24 vinyl pressings of Freedom! are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1990 and 2017.
When was Freedom! first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in UK, US, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is Epic GEO 3, released December 1990.
How do I tell if my copy of Freedom! is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GEO 3, GEO T3, GEOM 3, XPR 1594) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GEO 3 A1 TY2 ⋀ and GEO 3 B1 TY2 ⋀. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Freedom! 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.
