Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Mathis · 1972
Song Sung Blue was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. 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 1972, the album's first year, in 12 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.
T SX I PAL31626-1B o C1Side A, variant 1
PBL 31626-1A o XST B3Side B, variant 1
T SX I PAL31626-1B o C1Side A, variant 2
PBL 31626-1B o XS T B1Side B, variant 2
I PAL 31626-1B 0 SX BSide A Runout [etched]
P BL 31626-1D BSide B Runout [stamped]
AL 31626Side A Label
BL 31626Side B Label
PAL-31626-1DSide A Runout
PBL-31626-1A DSide B Runout
AL 31626Side A Label
BL 31626Side B Label
S 65161 A1Side A runout, stamped
S 65161 B1Side B runout, stamped
MX167265Side 1 Label
MX167266Side 2 Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | CBS SBP234230First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Brazil | CBS 137794First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Brazil | CBS 137794First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Columbia KC 31626First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | CBS C 31626 / Columbia C 31626First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Columbia CQ 31626First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1972 | Jamaica | Columbia KC 31626First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPM-33First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Mexico | CBS/Columbia Internacional, S.A. CLS-5384First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Netherlands | CBS S 65161First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | South Africa | CBS ASF.1711First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Spain | CBS S 65161First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | CBS 65161First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Columbia KC 31626First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Columbia CQ 31626First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
19 vinyl pressings of Song Sung Blue are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Columbia KC 31626.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KC 31626, C 31626, CQ 31626, 65161) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T SX I PAL31626-1B o C1 and PBL 31626-1A o XST B3. 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.
