US
1972- Label and catalog number
- MAM MAM-5
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Pitman Pressing
- Runout / matrix
XZAL-11745-1... sf Bell SoundSide A runout
XZAL11746-1... sf Bell SoundSide B runout
Vinyl pressings
Back To Front
by Gilbert O'Sullivan · 1972
59 pressings28 countriesPop RockSoft RockRockPop
Back To Front was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. 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 Back To Front
38 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 20 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
1972- Label and catalog number
- MAM MAM-5
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Pinckneyville Pressing
- Runout / matrix
XZAL-11745-4 (...under the 4) Bell Sound sf ◈-P-◈A side runout
XZAL-11746-4 (...under the 4) Bell Sound sf ◈-P-◈B side runout
US
1972- Label and catalog number
- MAM MAM-5
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Terre Haute Pressing
- Runout / matrix
XZAL 11745-2... (...under the 2) Bell Sound sƒ T1Side A - Etched [Variant 1]
XZAL11746-2... (...under the 2) Bell Sound sƒ TSide B - Etched [Variant 1]
XZAL-11745-2... (...under the 2) Bell Sound sf /\ 19 T1Side A - Etched (Except "/\" Stamped) [Variant 2]
XZAL 11746-2... (...under the 2) Bell Sound sf /\ 8 T1Side B - Etched (Except "/\" Stamped) [Variant 2]
US
1972- Label and catalog number
- MAM MAM 5MAM MAM-5
- Format
- LP, Album · PH - Philips Pressing
- Runout / matrix
MAM 5A-1 ZAL-11745 G KONG PRA-side runout
MAM 5B-1 XZAL-11746 G KONG PRB-side runout
XZAL 11745 PHA-side label
XZAL 11746 PHB-side label
US
1972- Label and catalog number
- MAM MAM-5
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Waddell Pressing
- Runout / matrix
XZAL-11745-5 WSide A Runout, Etched
XZAL-11746-5 W Bell Sound sfSide B Runout, Etched ['Bell Sound' stamped]
XZAL-11745 WSide A Label
XZAL-11746 WSide B Label
US
1972- Label and catalog number
- MAM MAM-5
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
XZAL-11745-6 AL (...under the 6) sƒSide A - Etched
XZAL11746--6 AL (...under the 6) sƒSide B - Etched
Bell SoundBoth Sides - Stamped
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 59 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s52 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Argentina | MAM SLLM 17334First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Australia | MAM MAM-SS-503First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Belgium | MAM MAM.SS 502 / MAM MAM.SS 503-YFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Belgium | MAM MAM-SS 503 Y 383 / MAM MAM-SS 503First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Belgium | MAM 313 MAM-SS 503 Y 383First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Belgium | MAM 278.024 BFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | MAM MAM-5First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | MAM MAM-5First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Colombia | MAM mam 5First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | France | MAM 278.024 BFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | MAM MAMA 503First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | MAM MAM-SS.503 / MAM MAM-SS 503First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Greece | MAM MAM-SS 503First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Israel | PAX ISK 1101First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Italy | MAM MAM-SSI 503First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
2010s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | UK | BMG SALVO393LPLP, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2019 | USA & Europe | BMG SALVO393LP / Salvo SALVO393LPLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Year unknown5 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | MAM 062-EVC-98 015LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Platinum PLP 54LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Portugal | MAM P-MAM.SS 503LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | MAM MAM-5LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | MAM MAM-5LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
Tracklist
- A1Intro / I Hope You'll Stay2:46
- A2In My Hole2:44
- A3Clair3:00
- A4That's Love3:00
- A5Can I Go With You2:45
- A6But I'm Not / Outro3:05
- B1I'm In Love With You4:22
- B2Who Was It2:26
- B3What Could Be Nicer (Mum The Kettle's Boiling)3:06
- B4Out Of The Question2:57
- B5The Golden Rule2:33
- B6I'm Leaving / Outro3:03
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Back To Front are there?
59 vinyl pressings of Back To Front are listed here, from 28 countries, released between 1972 and 2019.
When was Back To Front first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is MAM MAM-5.
How do I tell if my copy of Back To Front is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MAM-5, MAM 5, MAM.SS 502, MAM-SS 502) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XZAL-11745-1... sf Bell Sound and XZAL11746-1... sf Bell Sound. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Back To Front 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.
