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.
12 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 8 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.
60301-A- 22-12-77 Ⅰ ▵Runout area side A
60301-B- 22-12-77 Ⅰ ▵Runout area side B
3C 006 60301 ALabel side A
3C 006 60301 BLabel side B
p 2490-SX STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching
p 2491-SX STERLINGB-Side Runout Etching
2490-SA-Side Label
2491-SB-Side Label
2490-SA-Side Label
2491-SB-Side Label
11594ALabel side A
11594BLabel side B
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 AR-11594First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Arista AS 0287First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Guatemala | Arista 4388First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Italy | Arista 3C 006-60301 / Arista 3C 006 60301First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1977 | Italy | Arista 3C 006-60301 / Arista 3C 006 - 60301First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Japan | Arista IER-20382First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Japan | Arista IER-20382First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Arista ATA 287First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Panama | Arista 4388First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | Arista AS 0287First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Arista AS 0287First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | US | Arista AS 0287First year7", Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Venezuela | Arista 4AR-6187", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Germany | Arista 103 294 / Arista 103 294-1007", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Arista 103 294 / Arista 103 294-1007", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Portugal | Arista 103 2947", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
16 vinyl pressings of You Light Up My Life are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1977 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in Italy, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Arista 3C 006-60301.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3C 006-60301, AS 0287, AR-11594, 4388) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 60301-A- 22-12-77 Ⅰ ▵ and 60301-B- 22-12-77 Ⅰ ▵. 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.
