Netherlands
1984- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 818 633-1
- Format
- LP, Compilation
- Runout / matrix
818 718 1 1Y 1 670 04 1121Side A stamped run-outs
818 718 1 2Y 1 670 04 1120Side B stamped run-outs
818 718-1.1Side A label
818 718-1.2Side B label
Vinyl pressings
Special Edition
by J.J. Cale · 1984
31 pressings18 countriesFolk RockBlues RockCountry BluesRock
Special Edition was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Special Edition
24 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 15 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.
Netherlands
1984- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 818 633-1
- Format
- LP, Compilation
- Runout / matrix
818 718 1 1Y 1 670 04 11Runout A-side, variant 1 stamped
818 718 1 2Y 1 670 04 11Runout B-side, variant 1 stamped
818 718 1 1Y 1 670 04 1 2Runout A-side, variant 2 stamped
818 718 1 2Y 1 670 04 1 2Runout B-side, variant 2 stamped
Netherlands
1984- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 818 633-1
- Format
- LP, Compilation
- Runout / matrix
818 718 1 1Y 1 670 04 113Runout side A, stamped
818 718 1 2Y 1 670 04 1 14Runout side B, stamped
818 718-1.1Label side A
818 718-1.2Label side B
UK
1984- Label and catalog number
- Mercury MERL 42Mercury 818 633-1
- Format
- LP, Compilation
- Runout / matrix
MERL 42 A//1 420WSide A stamped run-outs
MERL 42 B//2 420WSide B stamped run-outs
US
1984- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 818 633-1
- Format
- LP, Compilation
US
1984- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 818 633-1 M-1Mercury 422-818 633-1 M-1
- Format
- LP, Compilation, Stereo · Hauppauge Pressing
- Runout / matrix
STERLING ⚾︎ A- ᐉ 2 4228186334-AS-HRMSide A, "STERLING" and "ᐉ" stamped
STERLING ⚾︎ A- ᐉ 24228186331-BS-HRMSide B, "STERLING" and "ᐉ" stamped
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 31 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s27 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australasia | Mercury 818 633-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Australia | Mercury 818 633-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-4097First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | France | Mercury 818 633-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | France | Mercury 818 633-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Germany | Mercury 818 633-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Greece | Mercury 818 633-1 / Polygram 818 633-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Greece | Mercury 818 633-1First yearLP, Compilation, White Label | LP, Compilation, White Label |
| 1984 | Greece | Mercury 818633-1 / Mercury 818 633-1LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | Mercury 818 633-1 / Polygram 818 633-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Israel | Mercury 818 633-1 QFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-128First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-128First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 818 633-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 818 633-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
1990s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | South Korea | New Seoul Record NSRL-DD08LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1992 | Yugoslavia | Mercury 818 633-1 / PGP RTB 221899LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1992 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 221899 / PGP RTB 221889LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
Year unknown1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Mercury 818 633-1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
Tracklist
- A1Cocaine2:51
- A2Don't Wait3:12
- A3Magnolia3:22
- A4Devil In Disguise2:03
- A5Sensitive Kind3:36
- A6Carry On2:19
- A7After Midnight2:23
- B1Money Talks4:18
- B2Call Me The Breeze2:34
- B3Lies2:54
- B4City Girls2:49
- B5Cajun Moon2:17
- B6Don't Cry Sister2:14
- B7Crazy Mama2:30
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Special Edition are there?
31 vinyl pressings of Special Edition are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1984 and 1992.
When was Special Edition first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Netherlands, UK, US, Italy and more. One of them is Mercury 818 633-1.
How do I tell if my copy of Special Edition is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 818 633-1, MERL 42, 818 633-1 M-1, 422-818 633-1 M-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 818 718 1 1Y 1 670 04 1121 and 818 718 1 2Y 1 670 04 1120. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Special Edition on vinyl worth?
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.
