Vinyl pressings
by John Lennon · 1974
Whatever Gets You Thru' The Night 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.
44 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 29 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.
7YCE 21749 1U RG 1 TTRunout side A, variant 1
7YCE 21750 1U RG 2 TPMERunout side B, variant 1
7YCE 21749 -1U P 1 TTRunout side A, variant 2
7YCE 21750 -1U AR 3 TONERunout side B, variant 2
7YCE 21749 1U GG TTRunout side A stamped/etched
7YCE 21750 1U GO TONERunout side B stamped/etched
7YCE.21749A label
7YCE.21750B label
7YCE.21749A label
7YCE.21750B label
5731 A 21 M3 30 2 330 ISide A (stamped)
5731 B 21 M3 30 2 331 ISide B (stamped)
1874 S-45-X-42217-Z2 #6 MCRRunout side A, variant 1
1874 S-45-X-42218-Z2 #4 [scratched out 1874] MCRRunout side B, variant 1
1874 S-45-X-42217-Z2 #3 MCR 0Runout side A, variant 2
S-45-X-42218-Z1 1874 #1 MCR 0Runout side B, variant 2
S-45-X-48817-Z4 #2 MCRSide A runout - variant 1
S-45-X-48818-Z4 #3 MCRSide B runout - variant 1
S-45-X-48817-Z2 MCRSide A runout - variant 2
S-45-X-48818-Z1 1874 #2 MCRSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Unknown | Apple Records 5731First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1974 | Argentina | Apple Records 1049First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Argentina | Apple Records 1049First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Argentina | Apple Records 1049First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Australia | Apple Records A-10630First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Belgium | Apple Records 4C 006-05731First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Brazil | Apple Records S7BT-77First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Apple Records 1874First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Denmark | Apple Records R 5998First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Finland | Apple Records 5E 006-05731First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | France | Apple Records 2C 004-05731First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Greece | Apple Records 006-05731First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Italy | Apple Records 3 C006 - 05731 / Apple Records 3C 006 05731First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Italy | Apple Records 3C 000 05731First year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox |
| 1974 | Mexico | Apple Records 7636First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Japan | Odeon EAS-171297", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1983 | US | Capitol Records 18747", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| 1988 | US | Capitol Records 18747", Reissue | 7", Reissue |
| 1988 | US | Capitol Records 18747", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Apple Records 31C 006 057317", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
53 vinyl pressings of Whatever Gets You Thru' The Night are listed here, from 30 countries, released between 1974 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, France, Japan and more. One of them is Apple Records R 5998, released October 4, 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use R 5998, 5731, 1874, P-1874) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7YCE 21749 1U RG 1 TT and 7YCE 21750 1U RG 2 TPME. 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.
