Vinyl pressings
by Gordon Lightfoot · 1974
Carefree Highway was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 6 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.
RCN-0069S-1C TSide A run-out stamped, T etched, variant 1
RCN-0069S-1D TSide B run-out stamped, T etched, variant 1
RCN-0069S-1D TISide A run-out stamped, TI etched, variant 2
RCN-0069S-1C TISide B run-out stamped, TI etched, variant 2
RPS-1309 RCN-0069S-1A ssRunout A
RS RPS-1309 RCN-0064-S 1A ssRunout B
p RCN-0069 S-1BA runout
p RCN-0064S-1AB runout
(RCN0069)SA label
(RCN0064)SB label
RPS-1309 RCN-0069-CSG 1BA
RPS-1309 RCN-0064 1BAA
K·14370·A1 ARUN ΛStamped runout, side A ("ARUN", etched)
K·14370·B1 4 ΛStamped runout, side B
K 14370 ALabel matrix, side A
K 14370 BLabel matrix, side B
RCN-0069CSG-1A-2-GOVariant 1: Side A runout
RCN0064-1A-2-GLVariant 1: Side B runout
RCN-0069-1A-2-G oVariant 2: Side A runout
RCN 0064-1A-2-GL oVariant 2: Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Canada | Reprise Records REP 1309First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Reprise Records REP 14370First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Reprise Records RO 1309First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | South Africa | Reprise Records R21-210First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | Reprise Records K 14370First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Reprise Records RPS 1309First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Reprise Records RPS 1309First year7", Single, Styrene | 7", Single, Styrene |
| 1974 | US | Reprise Records RPS 1309First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | US | Reprise Records RPS 1309First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1975 | Germany | Reprise Records REP 14 406 (N)7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Reprise Records R 13097", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
11 vinyl pressings of Carefree Highway are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Canada, Netherlands and more. One of them is Reprise Records RPS 1309, released August 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RPS 1309, K 14370, REP 1309, REP 14370) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RCN-0069S-1C T and RCN-0069S-1D T. 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.
