Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Nash · 1972
I Can See Clearly Now / How Good It Is 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.
30 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 16 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.
ZSS 156984-1C SA side runout, variant 1
ZSS 156985-1C SB side runout, variant 1
ZS S 156984-1C SSSA side runout, variant 2
ZS S 156985-1D SSB side runout, variant 2
ZS S 156984-1KSide A runout, variant 1
ZS S 156985-1GSide B runout, variant 1
P ZSS156984-1F 1Side A runout, variant 2
P ZSS156985-1F 1Side B runout, variant 2
ZSS 156984Side A
ZSS 156985Side B
ZS S 156984-1H TSide A Stamped (T etched) variant 1
ZS S 156985-1H TSide B Stamped (T etched) variant 1
ZSS 156984Side A Label
ZSS 156985Side B Label
ZSS 156984-1AC PR D
ZSS 156985-1AC PR D
ZSS 156984-1FA Side (stereo)
JZSP156983-1BB Side (mono)
JZSP156983-1FRunout A, variant 1
ZSS156984-1DRunout B, variant 1
J ZSP156983-1E SRunout A, variant 2
ZS S 156984-1D SRunout B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | CBS BA-221916First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Brazil | Epic 66186First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Epic 5-10902First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | CBS CBS S 8113First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | CBS CBS S 8113First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | Germany | CBS CBS S 8113First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Mexico | CBS 7022First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Philips 6017 004First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461395First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Portugal | CBS CBS S 8113First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | South Africa | CBS SSC 1199First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | Spain | CBS CBS 8113First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | Spain | CBS CBS 8113First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Sweden | CBS CBS S 8113First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | CBS CBS S 8113First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Portugal | CBS CBS-S-81137", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | CBS S CBS 81137", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS S CBS 81137", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
35 vinyl pressings of I Can See Clearly Now / How Good It Is are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Angola, Jamaica and more. One of them is Epic 5-10902, released July 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5-10902, CBS S 8113, CBS - S 8113, CBS S-8113A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS 156984-1C S and ZSS 156985-1C S. 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.
