Vinyl pressings
by Junior · 1982
I Can't Help It was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 4 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.
MDS.4022 - 2.56832-HRM I STERLING B-IA Side Runout Groove
MDS 4022.2-57056-HRM I STERLING B-IB Side Runout Groove
2-56832A Side Label
2-57056B Side Label
MDS·4022·2 - 56832 - PRC·C-2-1 -A- -pt- STERLING ⚾Runout etched side A with STERLING stamp
MDS·4022·2- 57056 - PRC·C-1-1-1 -B- STERLING ⚾Runout etched side B with STERLING stamp
2-56832A Side Label
2-57056B Side Label
MDS.4022 2-56832-PRC-C-2-1-I A STERLINGSide A runout
MDS 4022 2-57056-PRC-C1-1-1 B STERLINGSide B runout
MDS 4022 ASide A label
MDS 4022 BSide B label
MDS.4022 2-56832-PRC-C-2-1-I A STERLINGA side runout
MDS 4022 2-57056-PRC-C1-1-1 B STERLINGB side runout
2-56832A side label
2-57056B side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Ireland | Mercury MER 116First year7" | 7" |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Mercury 6059 569First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Mercury 6400 680First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | UK | Mercury MERX 116First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | UK | Mercury MER 116First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Mercury MERX 116First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | UK | Mercury MER 116First year7" | 7" |
| 1982 | US | Mercury MDS-4022 / Mercury 6400 726First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1982 | US | Mercury MDS 4022First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Mercury 76174First year7" | 7" |
| 1982 | US | Mercury MDS 4022 / Mercury 6400 726First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1982 | US | Mercury 76174 DJFirst year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Mercury MDS 4022First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label |
| 1982 | US | Mercury 76174First year7" | 7" |
| 1983 | Peru | Mercury F - MER 6059569.87", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
16 vinyl pressings of I Can't Help It are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1982 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Ireland, Netherlands. One of them is Mercury MDS-4022.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MDS-4022, 76174, MDS 4022, 76174 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MDS.4022 - 2.56832-HRM I STERLING B-I and MDS 4022.2-57056-HRM I STERLING B-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.
