Vinyl pressings
by Joseph Brooks · 1977
You Light Up My Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 6 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.
AB-4159-SA1BVariation 2: Side A Runout (handetched)
AB-4159-SB-1CVariation 2: Side B Runout (handetched)
AB-4159-SA1B ̶1̶B̶ B3 STERLING 1SVariation 3: Side A Runout (STERLING is stamped)
AB-4159-SB - 1A A 5 STERLING 1SVariation 3: Runout Side B (STERLING is stamped)
AB-4159-SA1DSide A etched
AB-4159-SBSide B etched
STERLINGSide A , Side B stamped
AB-4159-SA M1 STERLINGSide A Runout
AB-4159-SB M2 STERLINGSide B Runout
AB 4159 SASide A Label
AB 4159 SBSide B Label
T1 AB-4159-SA-3 STERLING C4Side A Runout
T1 AB-4159-SB-4 STERLING D2Side B Runout
AB 4159 SASide A Label
AB 4159 SBSide B Label
STERLINGStamped on both sides
AB-4159-SA . 1B A 18 1SSide 1
AB-4159-SB-1C SX 2B 1SSide 2
AB4159ASide A runout hand etched
AB4159BSide B runout hand etched
AB-4159 ASide A Label
AB-4159 BSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Arista AL-4159First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Arista AB 4159First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Arista IES-81011First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Arista AB 4159First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Philippines | Arista AB 4159First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | US | Arista AB 4159First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | US | Arista AB 4159First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Arista AB 4159First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | US | Arista AB 4159First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | US | Arista AB 4159LP, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1977 | US | Arista AB 4159First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Taiwan | First Record FL-2909LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1978 | Italy | Arista 3C 064 - 61960LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Arista SPART 1038LP | LP |
| 1978 | Venezuela | Arista ARLPS-6021LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Germany | Arista 203 761 / Arista 203 761-320LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Arista 203 761 / Arista 203 761-320LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Arista 203 761LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Arista AB 4159LP | LP |
20 vinyl pressings of You Light Up My Life are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1977 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Australia, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Arista AB 4159.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AB 4159, AL-4159, IES-81011) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AB-4159-SA1B and AB-4159-SB-1C. 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.
