Vinyl pressings
by Joe Jackson · 1979
I'm The Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. 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 1979, the album's first year, in 11 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.
AMS 7479-A-2 tone ΛSide A runout (variant 1)
AMS 7479-B-3 ΛSide B runout (variant 1)
AMS 7479-A-2 tone ΛSide A runout (variant 2)
AMS 7479-B-2 HIYA HEL ! ΛSide B runout (variant 2)
T1 A&M 02186A (crossed out) -T1 2209-ASide A
T1 A&M 02186B-T1Side B
A&M 02209A-P2A Side Runout - etched
A&M 02186B-P2B Side Runout - etched
̶A̶&̶M̶ ̶0̶2̶1̶8̶6̶A̶-̶S̶M̶1̶ AM-2209-AS-SM1 S1Runout A
̶A̶&̶M̶ ̶0̶2̶1̶8̶6̶A̶ ̶(̶M̶O̶N̶O̶)̶-̶S̶3̶ AM-2209-A-(MONO) SM3 S1Runout B
02209-A 2209-SLabel A - stereo
02209-A 2209Label B - mono
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Brazil | A&M Records 31C 006 63571First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Canada | A&M Records AM-2186First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 7635First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | A&M Records AMS 7635First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Germany | A&M Records AMS 7635 / A&M Records AMS S 7635First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Italy | A&M Records AMS 7635First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-1055First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-1055First year7", Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Philippines | A&M Records AM-70515First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Philippines | A&M Records AM-70515First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Spain | A&M Records AMS 7635First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Spain | A&M Records AMS 7635First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7479First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | A&M Records 2209First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | US | A&M Records 2209-SFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
19 vinyl pressings of I'm The Man are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is A&M Records AMS 7479, released September 25, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMS 7479, 2209-S, 2209, K7681) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMS 7479-A-2 tone Λ and AMS 7479-B-3 Λ. 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.
