Vinyl pressings
by Gladys Knight And The Pips · 1968
I Wish It Would Rain was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 7 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.
N-K-D4-N-441M04 W4KM-4695-1 B RA-side etched runout
N1N-448M09 W4KM-4913-1 C RB-side etched runout
N-K-D4-N-441M04 W4KM-4695Label Side A
N1N-448M09 W4KM-4913Label Side B
N-K-D4-N-441M04 X / W4KM-469S-1 J ARPSide A Etched / Stamped
N1N-448M09 X / W4KM-4913-1 J ARPSide B Etched / Stamped
N-K-D4-N-441M04Side A label
N1N-448M09Side B label
N-K-D4-N-441M04Scribed Side A
N1N-448M09Scribed Side B
W4KM-4695-1 B RStamped Side A
W4KM-4913-1 C RStamped Side B
N-K-D4-N-441M04Side A Label
N1N-448M09Side B Label
N-K-D4-N-441M04 W4KM-4695Label Side A
N1N-448M09 W4KM-4913Label Side B
W4KM-4695-1 D A1Side A Runout (Stamped) variant 1
W4KM-4695-1 D A2Side B Runout (Stamped) variant 1
R N-K-D4-N-441M04A and B Runouts (Scribed) variant 1
W4KM-4695-1 D A R N-K-D4-N-441M04A side runout variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | France | Tamla Motown FT 146First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Ireland | Tamla Motown TMG(I)674First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown TMM.695First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | US | Soul S 35047First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1968 | US | Soul S 35047First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown GO 25.843First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Canada | Tamla Motown S-35047First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Soul S 35047First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | US | Soul S-35047First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | US | Soul S 35047First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Soul S 35047First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Soul S 35047First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Soul S 35047 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 674First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 674First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
16 vinyl pressings of I Wish It Would Rain are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Netherlands, Canada and more. One of them is Soul S 35047, released August 8, 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S 35047, S-35047, S 35047 DJ, TMG 674) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, N-K-D4-N-441M04 W4KM-4695-1 B R and N1N-448M09 W4KM-4913-1 C R. 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.
