Vinyl pressings
by Kenny Loggins · 1984
I'm Free (Heaven Helps The Man) was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 9 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-169640 1A [MASTERED BY CAPITOL] WALLY PSide A, Scribed [Stamped] (Variant 1)
ZSS-169640 1B [MASTERED BY CAPITOL] WALLY PSide A, Scribed [Stamped] (Variant 2)
ZSS-169641 1B [MASTERED BY CAPITOL] WALLY PSide B, Scribed [Stamped] (Variants 1&2)
ZSS 169640Side A, Label
P XSS-169637 1A MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRunout Both Sides Etched, MASTERED BY CAPITOL Stamped
XSS 169637Label Both Sides
P ZSS-169640 1A Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunouts
ZSS 169640Labels
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | CBS BA 223201First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Columbia 38 04452First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS A 12.4495 / CBS CBSA 12.4495First year12" | 12" |
| 1984 | France | CBS CBS A4495First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 825First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | New Zealand | CBS BA 223201First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | South Africa | CBS SSC.5635First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | CBS A 4495 / CBS A4495First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | CBS A4495First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | CBS TA4495First year12" | 12" |
| 1984 | US | Columbia 38-04452First year7", Single, Styrene | 7", Single, Styrene |
| 1984 | US | Columbia AS-1855First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Columbia 38-04452First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Columbia 38-04452First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS A-4495 / CBS CBSA 4495First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
15 vinyl pressings of I'm Free (Heaven Helps The Man) are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Europe, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia 38-04452.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 38-04452, AS-1855, A4495, TA4495) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS-169640 1A [MASTERED BY CAPITOL] WALLY P and ZSS-169640 1B [MASTERED BY CAPITOL] WALLY P. 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.
