Vinyl pressings
by Hot Chocolate · 1972
You'll Always Be A Friend 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.
10 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
RAK 139 A-1 KT 1Side A stamped variant 1
RAK 139 B-1 KT 1Side B stamped variant 1
RAK 139 A-1 AH KT 2Side A stamped variant 2
RAK 139 B-1 MA KT 2Side B stamped variant 2
RAK 139 A-1 KT 1Side A Runout, Stamped
RAK 139 B-1 KT 1Side B Runout, Stamped
006093 750 ARunout side A
006093 750 ARunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | RAK RAK-10065First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Germany | Columbia 1C 006-93 750First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Columbia 93750First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Ireland | Columbia IDB. 816First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Italy | Columbia 3 C006-93750 / Columbia 3C 006 93750First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | Odeon EOR-10248First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | South Africa | Columbia DSA 1037First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | UK | RAK RAK 139First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Barbados | Parlophone RAK 139First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | UK | RAK RAK 139First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong & Thailand | Columbia EEAC 10407", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1973 | Spain | Odeon 1J 006-93.7507", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of You'll Always Be A Friend are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, Barbados, Australia, Germany and more. One of them is RAK RAK 139, released August 25, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RAK 139, RAK-10065, 1C 006-93 750, IDB. 816) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RAK 139 A-1 KT 1 and RAK 139 B-1 KT 1. 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.
