Vinyl pressings
by Joey Scarbury · 1981
Theme From "The Greatest American Hero" was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
33 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
ES-47147-A2-SP TML-XRunout, Side A, Etched
ES-47147-B4-SH-SP + TML-M SLM + 0-1 SM1-3 △ 676-XRunout, Side B, Etched
E-47147-ALabel Side A
E-47147-BLabel Side B
ES 47147-A-SP TML-M SRC 1-3Runout A etched [TML-M SRC logo stamped]
ES- ̷x̷47147-B2-SP SP 1-2 TML-XRunout B etched
E-47147-ALabel A
E-47147-BLabel B
ES 47147-A-1AR R-7217 TML-SSide A
ES 47147-B-1AR R-7218 TML-SSide B
ES 47147-A-SP TML=M SRC \ -- /Side A runout
ES 47147-B-SP TML=M SRC \ -- /Side B runout
E-47147-A (SP)Side A label
E-47147-B (SP)Side B label
E-47147-ALabel Side A
E-47147-BLabel Side B
ES 47147-A-1AR TML-S R-7217Side A Runout Variant 1
ES 47147-B-1AR TML-S R-7218Side B Runout Variant 1
ES-47147-A3-AR TML-M [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] R-7217-A3Side A Runout Variant 2
ES-47147-B3-AR TML-M [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] R-7218-B3Side B Runout Variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Elektra E-47147First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Brazil | Elektra 12.086First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra E-47147First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra E-47147First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra E 47147First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra GS 45537First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra E-47147First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Elektra 12 547First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Elektra ELK 12 547First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Elektra ELK 12 547First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label, Stereo |
| 1981 | Guatemala | Elektra E-47147First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | Elektra K 12547First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Jamaica | Elektra E-47147First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Japan | Elektra P-1548EFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Elektra ELK 12.547First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Italy | Siglandia SGL 45 0267", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Limited |
34 vinyl pressings of Theme From "The Greatest American Hero" are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1981 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Elektra E-47147.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use E-47147, E-47147-A, K 12547, 12.086) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ES-47147-A2-SP TML-X and ES-47147-B4-SH-SP + TML-M SLM + 0-1 SM1-3 △ 676-X. 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.
