Vinyl pressings
by Iain Matthews · 1974
Some Days You Eat The Bear And Some Days The… 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.
12 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.
EKS 75078 ARE CSM CP 5̶x̶ A ESR-TD-3-7-74 "HAPPY BiRThDAY DARCY"Runout A, variant 1
EKS 75078 B CSM 5x BRunout B, variant 1
\ EKS 75078 ARE CSM ESR-TD-3-7-74 A "HAPPY BiRThDAY DARCY"Runout A, variant 2
S1 EKS 75078 B-1 CSM ESR-TD - 2-21-74 A1Runout B, variant 2
EKS 75078 A-SPSide A
EKS 75078-B-SPSide B
\ EKS 75078 ARE 2 CSM CP SX B ESR-TD-3-7-74 BSide A Runout [SX scratched out]
EKS 75078 B-2 CSM CP SX ESR-TD-2-21-74 CSide B Runout [SX scratched out]
EKS-75078-ASide A Label
EKS-75078-BSide B Label
1 EKS 75078 B CSM SxCTH C7Side A runout
2 EKS 75078 ARE 2 CSM SxCTH A ESR-TD-3-7-74Side B runout
EKS 75078 ARE 2 CSM CP SX (crossed out) B ESR-TD-3-7-74Side A runout (Variant 2)
EKS 85078 B-2 CCP SX (crossed out) ESR-TD 2-21-74Side B runout (Variant 2)
EKS 75078 ARE CSM S̶X̶ ESR-TD-3-7-74 .B “HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARCY”Side A Runout
EKS 75078 B-2 CP S̶X̶ ESR-TD-2-21-74 CSide B Runout
EKS 75078 ARE CSMSide A
EKS 75078 B-2 CSMSide B
"HAPPY BiRThDAY DARCY"Side A
ESR-TD-3-1-14Runout Side A
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 | Australia | Elektra EKS-75078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Elektra EKS 75078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Elektra ELK 42 160 / Elektra EKS 75078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Elektra ELK 42 160First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Elektra ELK 42160First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Elektra K42160First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Elektra EKS-75078 / Elektra 75078First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Elektra EKS 75078First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Elektra EKS 75078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Elektra EKS 75078First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Elektra EKS-75078 / Elektra 75078First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Elektra EKS-75078 / Elektra 75078First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Elektra EKS 75078LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Japan | Elektra P-4716ELP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
14 vinyl pressings of Some Days You Eat The Bear And Some Days The… are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1974 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Elektra EKS-75078.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EKS-75078, EKS 75078, K42160, ELK 42 160) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EKS 75078 ARE CSM CP 5̶x̶ A ESR-TD-3-7-74 "HAPPY BiRThDAY DARCY" and EKS 75078 B CSM 5x B. 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.
