Vinyl pressings
by Lou Reed · 1975
Metal Machine Music was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 7 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.
CPL-2-1101-A-1 STERLING I A2Side A runout, variant 1
CPL-2-1101-B-1 I A1Side B runout, variant 1
CPL-2-1101-C-1 I A1Side C runout, variant 1
CPL-2-1101-D-1 RL STERLING I A1Side D runout, variant 1
CPL-2-1101-A-4 HRunout Side A
CPL-2-1101-B-4 HRunout Side B
CPL-2-1101-C-4 HRunout Side C
CPL-2-1101-D-4 H STERLING RLRunout Side D
CPL-2-1101-A-1 STERLING I A1Side A runout
CPL-2-1101-B-1 I A1Side B runout
CPL-2-1101-C-1 I A1Side C runout
CPL-2-1101-D-1 STERLING RL 1 A1Side D runout
CPD2-1101A-1Stamped
CPD2-1101B-1Stamped
CPD2-1101C-1Stamped
CPD2 1101 D 1Stamped
CPL2-1101 A TX DEtched Side A
CPL2-1101 B TX DEtched Side B
CPL2-1101 C TX DEtched Side C
CPL2-1101 D TX DEtched Side D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | RCA CPL2-1101 / RCA Victor CPL2-1101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | RCA Victor CPL2-1101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | France | RCA CPL2-1101 / RCA Victor CPL2 1101First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | RCA CPL2-1101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | RCA RCA-9111〜2 / RCA CPD2-1101-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Netherlands | RCA CPL-21101 / RCA CPL2-1101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | RCA CPL2-1101 / RCA Victor CPL2-1101First yearLP, Album, Special Cut, Stereo | LP, Album, Special Cut, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | RCA CPD2-1101First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic, Stereo | LP, Album, Quadraphonic, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | RCA Victor CPL2-1101First yearLP, Album, Special Cut | LP, Album, Special Cut |
| 1975 | US | RCA CPL2-1101 / RCA Victor CPL2-1101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Great Expectations PIP DL 023LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1991 | UK | Great Expectations PIP DL 023LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | Sister Ray RecordingsLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | US | RCA 19802882411 / Legacy 19802882411LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Special Cut · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Special Cut · Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Worldwide | RCA 19802882411 / Legacy 19802882411LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | RCA CPL2-1101LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
16 vinyl pressings of Metal Machine Music are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1975 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, Australia, Canada, France and more. One of them is RCA CPL2-1101, released July 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CPL2-1101, CPD2-1101, RCA-9111〜2, CPL-21101) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CPL-2-1101-A-1 STERLING I A2 and CPL-2-1101-B-1 I A1. 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.
