Vinyl pressings
by Jim Weatherly · 1974
The Need To Be 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.
13 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.
BDAS-420-AA STERLING RL AVersion 1 A-side runout etching
BDAS-420-BVersion 1 B-side runout etching
BDAS-420-AA STERLING RL AVersion 2 A-side runout etched [STERLING A stamped]
BDAS-420-B X PVersion 2 B-side runout etched [P stamped]
BDAS-420-AA-RE ② [(MR) Artisan Sound Recorders Logo] △95046Runout, side A, etched, except [stamped], variant 1
BDAS-420-B ① [TML-S (MR)] △95046-XRunout, side B, etched, except [stamped], variant 1
BDAS 420 AA-RE ① [(MR) Artisan Sound Recorders Logo] △95046Runout, side A, etched, except [stamped], variant 2
BDAS 420-B ② [TML-S (MR)] △95046-XRunout, side B, etched, except [stamped], variant 2
BDAS 420AA [Artisan logo]A-side runout
p BDAS-420-B TML-SB-side runout
BDAS 420 A AA-side label
p BDA 420-AA Sterling RLRunout A
p BDAS 420 AA x Sterling RLRunout B
BDA 420 A ALabel A
BDAS 420 A ALabel B
p BDA 420-AA [artisan logo]A-Side Runout
p BDAS 420 AA x [artisan logo]B-Side Runout
BDA 420 A ALabel Side A
BDAS 420 A ALabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Buddah Records SBDA 420First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Canada | Buddah Records BDA 420XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Canada | Buddah Records BDA 420XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | France | Buddah Records 640.045 / Buddah Records 640 045First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Germany | Buddah Records M 27.011 / Buddah Records M 27011First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | UK | Buddah Records BDS 412First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | UK | Buddah Records BDS 412First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Buddah Records BDA 420 NFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Buddah Records BDA 420First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Buddah Records BDA 420First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1974 | US | Buddah Records BDA-420First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Buddah Records BDA 420First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Buddah Records BDA 420First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of The Need To Be are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Buddah Records BDA 420 N.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BDA 420 N, BDA 420, BDA-420, BDS 412) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BDAS-420-AA STERLING RL A and BDAS-420-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.
