Vinyl pressings
by Maurice White · 1985
Stand By Me 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.
20 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 9 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.
01-6512-1A-1Runout side A, variant 1
01-6512-1B-1Runout side B, variant 1
01-6512-1A-1 ARunout side A, variant 2
01-6512-1B-1 ARunout side B, variant 2
01-126512-1A-1 ASide A runout groove, etched
01-126512-1B-1 ASide B runout groove, etched
01-126512-1Side A Label
01-126512-2Side B Label
TA-6512-A1 MT1△Runout side A etched
TA-6512-B1 MT1△Runout side B etched
01-6512-A1Runout (Etched) Side A
01-6512-B1Runout (Etched) Side B
P(AP) XSSx-174 571-1BRunout A
P(AP) XSS-174 572 - 1ARunout B
XXS 174571Label A
XSS 174572Label B
ZSS-174569-1C D G1Runout, side A, etched
ZSS-174570-1C D G B4Runout, side B, etched
ZSS 174569Label side A
ZSS 174570Label side B
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 | Australia | CBS BA 12160First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Australia | CBS BA 3334First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | CBS BA 3334First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | CBS BA 12160First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | Columbia 12CXP-05262First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | Columbia 38 05571First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Italy | CBS CBS A 6512First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Jamaica | Columbia 38-05571First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 917First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Netherlands | CBS CBSA 6512 / CBS A-6512First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | CBS CBSA 12.6512 / CBS A 12.6512First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | New Zealand | CBS BA 3334First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | CBS TA 6512First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | CBS CBSA 6512 / CBS A-6512First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | US | Columbia 44-05262First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of Stand By Me are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Netherlands, UK, US, Japan and more. One of them is CBS CBSA 6512.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CBSA 6512, CBSA 12.6512, TA 6512, 44-05262) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 01-6512-1A-1 and 01-6512-1B-1. 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.
