Vinyl pressings
by Helen Reddy · 1973
Leave Me Alone was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 9 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.
S-45- 90289-Z4 —<|A side deadwax - etched - variant 1
S45-90198 Z-3 #2 —<|B side deadwax - etched - variant 1
S-45- 90289-Z3 —<|A side deadwax - etched - variant 2
S45-90198 Z-3 #2 —<|B side deadwax - etched - variant 2
S45-90198Label A
S45-90289Label B
S-45- 90289-Z6•• ✲ 2A side deadwax
S45 90198 Z5•• 1 ✲ 2B side deadwax
S45-90289-22 3768 #4 0A side runout, variation 1
70798 3768 F8 #1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL0B side runout, variation 1
S45-90289-22 3768 #2 0A side runout, variation 2
S45-70198-Z2 3768 #5 MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0B side runout, variation 2
PRO-6774Side A Label
S45-90289Side B Label
SF 90289-1 AStamped runout, side A
SF 90198-1 RStamped runout, side B
SF 90289 45Label matrix, side A
SF 90198 45Label matrix, side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Belgium | Capitol Records 4C 006-81551 / Capitol Records CL 15770First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Capitol Records 3768First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Capitol Records 3768First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 006-81 551 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-81 551First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Capitol Records F.3768First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | South Africa | Capitol Records JCL 552First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | UK | Capitol Records CL 15770First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | UK | Capitol Records CL 15770First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | UK | Capitol Records CL 157707", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| 1973 | US | Capitol Records P-3768First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1973 | US | Capitol Records 3768First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | Capitol Records P-37687", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, Stereo, Mono · Test pressing, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, Stereo, Mono · Test pressing, Mono |
| 1973 | Japan | Capitol Records ECR-10470First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | Capitol Records 3768First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Capitol Records 3768First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Leave Me Alone are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Japan, Netherlands and more. One of them is Capitol Records 3768, released October 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3768, P-3768, CL 15770, ECR-10470) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S-45- 90289-Z4 —<| and S45-90198 Z-3 #2 —<|. 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.
