Vinyl pressings
by Marvin Hamlisch · 1974
Music From "The Sting" was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
34 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 19 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.
MC 2275-W2- ◈-P-◈Runout side A, variant 1
MC2500-W2 ◈-P-◈Runout side B, variant 1
MC 2275-W2- ◈-P-◈Runout side A, variant 2
MC2500-W3 ◈-P-◈Runout side B, variant 2
MC 2275-W1 回-G-回Runout, side A, etched, except 回-G-回, stamped
MC2500 W1 回-G-回Runout, side B, etched, except 回-G-回, stamped
MC 2275Label side A
MC 2500Label side B
MC2275Label Side A
MC2500Label Side B
MC 2275-W4Runout, side A, etched
MC2500 W4 回-G-回Runout, side B, etched, except 回-G-回, stamped
MC 2275Label side A
MC 2500Label side B
MC 2275-W1. 回-G-回A-Side Runout
回-G-回 MC 2500-W1.B-Side Runout
MC 2275A-Side Label
MC 2500B-Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Argentina | MCA Records 1943First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Australia | MCA Records MCA 1378First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Belgium | MCA Records 4C 006-95370 / MCA Records 4C 006-95 370First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Belgium | MCA Records 4C 006-95370First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Belgium | MCA Records 4C 006-95370First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Belgium | MCA Records 4C 006-95370First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1974 | Brazil | MCA Records MCS-7265 / MCA Records MCACS-900.058First year7", Stereo | 7", Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 40174First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 40174First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | MCA Records 110.055 / MCA Records 110 055First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | France | MCA Records 110 055 / MCA Records 110.055First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Germany | MCA Records MCS-7265 / MCA Records MCS 7265First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | MCA Records MCS-7265 / MCA Records MCS 7265First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | MCA Records MCS-7265 / MCA Records 6.11364First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Ireland | MCA Records MCA 121First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-601767", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-601767", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-401747", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-601767", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Benelux | MCA Records 102.9237", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1981 | South Africa | MCA Records PD 99567", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | MCA Records 102.9237", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1985 | Europe | MCA Records 259 556-77", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Belgium | MCA Records 4C 006-953707", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| ? | Belgium | MCA Records 4C 006-953707", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA 601767", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA-601767", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA 601767", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Germany | MCA Records 0032.0637", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | MCA Records 55347", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-601767", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
52 vinyl pressings of Music From "The Sting" are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1974 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, South Africa, Argentina and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-40174, released January 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-40174, MCA-60176, MCA 40174, MCA 121) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC 2275-W2- ◈-P-◈ and MC2500-W2 ◈-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.
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1974 · 92 pressings
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1977 · 44 pressings
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1979 · 23 pressings
The Way We Were (Original Soundtrack Recording)
1974 · 18 pressings
The Entertainer
1974 · 15 pressings
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