Vinyl pressings
by Melissa Manchester · 1977
Singin' was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 6 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.
AL 4136SA ⃥L⃥ RL ◎ TML-SRunout Side A, etched, ◎ and TML-S stamped
AL 4136 SB Rl ◎ TML-MRunout Side B, etched, ◎ and TML-M stamped
AL 4136 SALabel Side A
AL 4136 SBLabel Side B
AL•4136•SA•1F SXT Rh B1 TML-M 1SSide A runout
AL-4136-SB-1C SXT Rh A3 TML-S 2SSide B runout
AL 4136 SASide A label
AL 4136 SBSide B label
AL 4136 SA Rh 33 TML-MRunout side A, etched, TML-M stamped
AL 4136 SB Rh 33 TML-SRunout side B, etched, TML-S stamped
AL 4136 SALabel side A
AL 4136 SBLabel side B
R 140138 A I A1CSide A Stamped and Etched
R 140138 B I Ar BSide B Stamped and Etched
AL 4136 SASide A Label
AL 4136 SBSide B Label
AL-4136-SA-1C SX RL C 13 TML-M 1SSide A runout (variant 1)
AL-4136-SB-1C SX RL C 13 TML-S 1SSide B runout (variant 1)
AL-4136-SA-1F Rh A TML-M 1SSide A runout (variant 2)
AL-4136-SB-1D Rh TML-M 1SSide B runout (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | Arista / 6545First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Argentina | Arista 6545First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Australia | Arista AL 4136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Australia | Arista ARL.37243First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Canada | Arista AL 4136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Arista ABM-65016LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1977 | Japan | Arista IES-80923First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Arista IES-80923First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Philippines | Arista AL 4136First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Arista AL 4136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Arista AB 4136LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1977 | US | Arista AL 4136First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Arista AL 4136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Arista AL 4136LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1977 | US | Arista AL 4136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Arista AB 4136LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Arista AL 4136LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Arista AL 4136LP | LP |
20 vinyl pressings of Singin' are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in Canada, US, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Arista AL 4136.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 4136, AB 4136, 6545, IES-80923) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 4136SA ⃥L⃥ RL ◎ TML-S and AL 4136 SB Rl ◎ TML-M. 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.
