Vinyl pressings
by Joe South · 1968
Games People Play was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1968, 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.
45-70149-P1#3 IAMA-side runout, variant 1
45-70377-P1 IAMB-side runout, variant 1
45-70149-P1#2 IAMA-side runout, variant 2
45-70377-P1 IAMB-side runout, variant 2
2 45-70149-F-1· 3 *Runout A, variant 1
45-70377-F-1· 1 *Runout B, variant 1
45-70149-F-1∙∙ ✲ 2Runout A, variant 2
45-70377-F-1: 2 ✲Runout B, variant 2
45-70377-F-1·B side deadwax - etched
[Six-pointed asterisk]Stamped onto deadwax on both sides
45-70149-F-1·(etched) 1(stamped, sideways)A side deadwax
2 45-70149-F-1- 2 ✲A-Side Runout Etching
2 45-70377-F-1- 1 ✲B-Side Runout Etching
45-70149A-Side Label
45-70377B-Side Label
F 70149 45Label side A
F 70377 45Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-8613First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-8613First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | Canada | Capitol Records 2248First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | France | Capitol Records CLF 2248First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Norway | Capitol Records CL 15579First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | UK | Capitol Records CL 15579First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records 2248First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records P-2248First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records P-2248First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records 2248First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records 2248First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Brazil | Capitol Records 7C-11.0917", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | Denmark | Capitol Records CL 155797", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 006-80 0027", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 006-80 002 / Capitol Records 1 C006-80002 M7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records 22487", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Italy | Capitol Records 3C 006-80002 M7", 45 RPM, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox |
| ? | Japan | Capitol Records CR-22087", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| ? | Portugal | Capitol Records 22487", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
37 vinyl pressings of Games People Play are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1968 and 1969.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Capitol Records 2248.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2248, P-2248, CL 15579, CP-8613) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-70149-P1#3 IAM and 45-70377-P1 IAM. 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.
