Vinyl pressings
by Isaac Hayes · 1971
Never Can Say Goodbye was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 12 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.
EM-00586 M Hc Δ84611 [(MR)]A-Side - Etched, except [stamped]
EM-00587 M Hc Δ84611-X [(MR)]B-Side - Etched, except [stamped]
EM-00586A-Side - Label
EM-00587B-Side - Label
EM-00586 M HCRunout A, etched
EM-00587 M HCRunout B, etched
EM-00586A side label
EM-00587B side label
EM-00586 M HCRunout A, etched
EM-00587 M HCRunout B, etched
EM-00586 SPLabel A
EM-00587 SPLabel B
EM-00586 MHCRunout A
EM-00587 MHCRunout B
EM-00586-PLLabel A
EM-00587-PLLabel B
(Mono Side) EM-00586
(Stereo Side) ES-00588
EM-00586A-Side Label
ES-00588B-Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Stax 2025 029First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Brazil | Stax 2161008First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1971 | Canada | Enterprise ENA 9031First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Germany | Stax 2025 029First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Italy | Stax 2025 029First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Jamaica | Enterprise ENA-9031First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Stax 2025 029First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Norway | Stax 2025 029First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Portugal | Stax 2025 029First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Spain | Stax SN 20.564 / Stax SN-20564First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | UK | Stax 2025 029First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | US | Enterprise ENA-9031First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Enterprise ENA-9031First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | Enterprise ENA-9031First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1971 | US | Enterprise ENA-9031First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
18 vinyl pressings of Never Can Say Goodbye are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Enterprise ENA-9031, released April 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ENA-9031, 2025 029, 2161008, ENA 9031) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EM-00586 M Hc Δ84611 [(MR)] and EM-00587 M Hc Δ84611-X [(MR)]. 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.
