Vinyl pressings
by Justin Hayward · 1977
Songwriter 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.
24 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 13 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.
XZAL-15018.P-4 BU STERLING TJSide A stamp exc "TJ" etch Variant 1
XZAL-15019.P-4 BM STERLING TJSide B stamp exc "TJ" etch Variant 1
XZAL-15018.P-3 BU STERLING TJSide A stamp exc "TJ" etch Variant 2
XZAL-15019.P-4 BM STERLING TJSide B stamp exc "TJ" etch Variant 2
XZAL-15018.P-4 BK STERLING 1 TJSide A runout
XZAL-15019.P-4 K STERLING TJSide B runout
XZAL 15018PSide A label
XZAL 15019PSide B label
XZAL 15018 BWA Side
XZAL 15019 BWB Side
XZAL 15018 RE-1 1 W STERLING TJA-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
XZAL 15019-RE-1 2 W STERLING TJB-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
XZAL 15018 RE-1 1[in circle] W STERLING TJA-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
XZAL 15019-RE-1 2[in circle] W STERLING TJB-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
T1 XZAL 15018 RE-1-1 P STERLING TJA-Side Runout Etching
T1 XZAL 15019-RE-1-1 B10 STERLING TJB-Side Runout Etching
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 | Unknown | Deram SDLI 15First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Australia | Deram SMLA 15First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Brazil | Deram XDML 3010 / Deram DML-3010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Deram DES 18073First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Nova 6.22972First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Greece | Deram SDL 115First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Deram SDLI 15First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Deram GP 1078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Deram GP 1078First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Deram SDL 15First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Portugal | Deram PSDL 15First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Portugal | Deram PSDL 15 / Deram PSDL15First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | South Africa | Deram ML 4086First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | Deram TXS 3060First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | Deram TXS 3060First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
26 vinyl pressings of Songwriter are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Deram SDL 15, released February 11, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SDL 15, SDL15, SDLI 15, DES 18073) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XZAL-15018.P-4 BU STERLING TJ and XZAL-15019.P-4 BM STERLING TJ. 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.
