Vinyl pressings
by Jerry Butler · 1969
Only The Strong Survive was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 14 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.
47213 1 1-1 M.R.A runout variant 1
42622 2 11-1 M.R.B runout variant 1
47213 2 M.R.Side A Runout stamped (M.R. etched) variant 2
42622 1 M.R.Side B Runout stamped (M.R. etched) variant 2
1-42713A-side label
1-42622B-side label
127 437 MCF 1YA-side label
127 437 MCF 2YB-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Mercury RF-13First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Brazil | Mercury CSM 61.007First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Canada | Mercury M. 72898First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | France | Mercury 127.437 MCFFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Greece | Mercury 45-4129First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Italy | Mercury MCF 127437 / Mercury 127 437 MCFFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Jamaica | Mercury 127 437 MCFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Japan | Mercury SM-1071First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Mercury 72898First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Scandinavia | Mercury 127.437 MCFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | South Africa | Mercury TOS 540First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Spain | Mercury 127 437 MCFFirst year7", Single, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | UK | Mercury MF 1094First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Mercury 72898First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1969 | US | Mercury 72898First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Chile | Mercury 127.4377", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | France | Mercury 127.437 MCF7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Germany | Mercury 127 437 MCF7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Mercury 127 437 MCF7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
20 vinyl pressings of Only The Strong Survive are listed here, from 17 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Mercury 72898.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 72898, MF 1094, RF-13, CSM 61.007) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 47213 1 1-1 M.R. and 42622 2 11-1 M.R.. 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.
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