Vinyl pressings
by Larry Gatlin · 1977
Love Is Just A Game 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.
8 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 3 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.
T1 MG-7616 Q7Y-877-2Side 1 (etched, variant A)
T MG-7616 Q7Y-878 2Side 2 (etched, variant A)
T1 MG-7616 Q7Y-877-1Side 1 (etched, variant B)
MG-7616 T1 Q7Y-878-1Side 2 (etched, variant B)
Q7Y-877A Side Label
Q7Y-878B Side Label
MG-7616 Q7Y-877-1A A2 S1A Side Etch
MG-7616 Q7Y-878-1B A2 S1B Side Etch
Q7Y-877A Side Label
Q7Y-878B Side Label
MG-7616 Q7Y-877-1A A2 S1A Side Etch
MG-7616 Q7Y-878-1B A2 S1B Side Etch
MG-7616 Q7Y-877 C3Side 1 (etched)
MG-7616 Q7Y-878 B2Side 2 (etched)
Q7Y-877Side 1 label
Q7Y-878Side 2 label
S-MNT-82382-A-1Side A runout stamp
S-MNT-82382-B-1Side B runout stamp
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 | Canada | Monument MG 7616First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Monument PES 7616First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Monument MNT 82382 / Monument S MNT 82382First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Monument MG 7616First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Monument MG 7616First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Monument Q7Y-878First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | US | Monument MG 7616First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Monument MG 7616LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1977 | US | Monument MG 7616First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | US | Columbia PC 38336LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Canada | Columbia WPC 38336LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Love Is Just A Game are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1977 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Monument MG 7616.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MG 7616, Q7Y-878, MNT 82382, PES 7616) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 MG-7616 Q7Y-877-2 and T MG-7616 Q7Y-878 2. 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.
