Vinyl pressings
by Marvin Gaye · 1969
The Onion Song was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1969, 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.
A1-S1-K-I-593S12Etched in the B-side dead-wax
Δ80231Etched in the A-side dead-wax
Z4KM-2147-1 MR [in circle]Stamped in the A-side dead-wax
Δ80232Etched in the B-side dead-wax
A1-S1-K-I-593S08 10 Z4KM-2147-1 A -v-Runout A, etched [except: Z4KM-2147-1 A]
A1-S1-K-I-593S12 10 -v- Z4KM-2148-1 ARunout B, etched [except: Z4KM-2148-1 A]
A1-S1-K-I-593S08Label A
A1-S1-K-K-593S12Label B
YTMG 715 A-1 GRH KT 1Side A, stamped (Version 1)
YTMG 715 B-1 GAO KT 5Side B, stamped (Version 1)
YTMG 715 A-1 AB KT 1Side A, stamped (Version 2)
YTMG 715 B-1 MA KT 1Side B, stamped (Version 2)
YTMG 715 A-1 KT 3Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
YTMG 715 B-1 K T 3Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
YTMG 715 A-1 RA KT 1Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
YTMG 715 B-1 RP KT 1Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Canada | Tamla Motown T 54192First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Ireland | Tamla Motown TMG(I) 715First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown TMM.746First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 715First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Tamla T-54192First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1969 | US | Tamla T 54192First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Tamla T-54192First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1C 006-90 883First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 006-90883First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 715First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 715First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-91287", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-91287", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | India | Tamla Motown ETM. 277", Single | 7", Single |
| 1970 | Japan | Tamla Motown JET-19767", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Tamla T 541927", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | US | Tamla T 541927", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | US | Tamla T 541927", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Tamla T 541927", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 1970 | US | Tamla T 541927", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | US | Tamla T 541927", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Tamla T 541927", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Tamla T 541927", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 9937", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Norway | Tamla Motown 7E 006-9088 3M7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
25 vinyl pressings of The Onion Song are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1969 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Germany, Netherlands and more. One of them is Tamla T-54192.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T-54192, T 54192, TMG 715, 1C 006-90 883) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A1-S1-K-I-593S12 and Δ80231. 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.
