Vinyl pressings
by John Lennon · 1984
I'm Stepping Out was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
POSP702A//2 ▽ 420WA-side runout, variant 1
POSP702B//1 ▽ 420WB-side runout, variant 1
POSP702A//2 ▽ 420W 1 1 1A-side runout, variant 2
POSP702B//1 ▽ 420W 1 1 1B-side runout, variant 2
POSPX702A//1▽420WRun-out A-side, stamped
POSPX702B//1▽420WRun-out B-side, stamped
STERLING Ⓗ 821.107-7-83.NP-6543-SH 4710 IMYRunout A
STERLING Ⓗ 821.107-7.83.NP-6544-SH 4711Runout B
83 NP 6543Label A
83 NP 6544Label B
[STERLING] ⚾ 821-107-7.83.NP-6543-BWSide A etched [stamped]
[STERLING] 821-107-7.83.NP-6544-BWSide B etched [stamped]
83 NP 6543Label side A
83 NP 6544Label side B
821-107-7-83.MP-6543-PRC-C1-1 A ⚾ STERLINGRunout A
821-107-7-83.MP-6544-PRC-C1-1-1 B ⚾ STERLINGRunout B
83 NP 6543Label A
83 NP 6544Label B
821 107-7-83 NP 6543 SHORT - PRC-C1-1-1 A STERLINGA-Side Runout
821 107-7 83 NP-6543-PRC-C1-1-1 A STERLING IMYB-Side Runout
83 NP 6543A & B Side Labels
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Polydor 821 107-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Canada | Polydor PDS 2248First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Ecuador | Polydor 45-75316First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Italy | Polydor 821 107-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | Polydor 821 107-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Polydor 821 107-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Peru | Polydor F-POL 8211077.4First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | Peru | Polydor F-POL 8211077.4First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Philippines | Polydor PRO-3698First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Spain | Polydor 821 107-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | US | Polydor 821 107-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Polydor 821 107-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Polydor 821 107-7 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Polydor 821 107-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Polydor 821 107-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Mexico | Polydor S/N-4017", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
21 vinyl pressings of I'm Stepping Out are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, France, Germany and more. One of them is Polydor POSP 702, released July 15, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSP 702, POSP X 702, 821 107-7, 821 107-7 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSP702A//2 ▽ 420W and POSP702B//1 ▽ 420W. 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.
