Vinyl pressings
by Maurice White · 1985
I Need You was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. 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 1985, 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.
P ZSS-173594-1A [flower]A-side runout etching
P ZSS-173595-1B [birds]B-side runout etching
ZSS 173594A-side label
ZSS 173595B-side label
ZSS-173594-1S ❀ GI A2A-Side Runout Etching
ZSS-173595-1D ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀ GI A4B-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 173594A-Side Label
ZSS 173595B-Side Label
ZSS 173594A
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Brazil | CBS 43.614First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Jamaica | Columbia 38-05726First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Jamaica | Columbia 38-05726First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 932First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Netherlands | CBS CBSA 12.6746First year12" | 12" |
| 1985 | Netherlands | CBS CBSA 6746First year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | New Zealand | CBS BA 3420First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Philippines | CBS CS-10111First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | US | Columbia 38-05726First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Columbia 38-057267", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | US | Columbia 38-05726First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | US | Columbia7", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | US | Columbia 38-05726First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of I Need You are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Brazil, Jamaica, Japan and more. One of them is Columbia 38-05726, released November 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 38-05726, 43.614, 07SP 932, CBSA 12.6746) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P ZSS-173594-1A [flower] and P ZSS-173595-1B [birds]. 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.
