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Merle HaggardSongs I'll Always Sing

Vinyl pressings

Songs I'll Always Sing

by Merle Haggard · 1977

15 pressings5 countriesCountryBakersfield SoundFolkWorld

Songs I'll Always Sing 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.

How to spot a first pressing of Songs I'll Always Sing

6 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 4 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.

US

April 11, 1977
Label and catalog number
Capitol Special Markets SLB-8086
Format
LP, Compilation · Jacksonville Pressing
Runout / matrix

SLB-1-8086 J-3 #1 (x in a circle) JAyEtched Side 1

SLB-2-8086 J -5 #1 (x in a circle) JAyEtched Side 2

SLB-3-8086 J-3 # 2 (x in a circle) JAyEtched Side 3

SLB-4-8086 J-3 #1 (x in a circle) JAyEtched Side 4

Full details of this pressing

US

April 11, 1977
Label and catalog number
Capitol Records SABB-11531
Format
LP, Compilation · Winchester Pressing, Gatefold
Runout / matrix

SABB-1-11531 J-6 MASTERED BY CAPITOLJay ---◄Side A runout

SABB-2-11531 J-6 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ---◄Side B runout

SABB-3-11531 J-6 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Jay ---◄Side C runout

SABB-2-11531 J-6 #3 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Jay ---◄Side D runout

Full details of this pressing

US

April 11, 1977
Label and catalog number
Capitol Records SABB-11531
Format
LP, Compilation · Jacksonville pressing
Runout / matrix

SABB-1-11531 H-5 #2 0 ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴄᴀᴘɪᴛᴏʟ Jay 1A Side Etch exc 0, ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴄᴀᴘɪᴛᴏʟ stamps

SABB-2-11531 H-5 #1 ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴄᴀᴘɪᴛᴏʟ Jay 0B Side Etch exc 0, ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴄᴀᴘɪᴛᴏʟ stamps

SABB-3-11531 H-5 #2 ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴄᴀᴘɪᴛᴏʟ Jay 0C Side Etch exc 0, ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴄᴀᴘɪᴛᴏʟ stamps

SABB-4-11531 H-5 #1 ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴄᴀᴘɪᴛᴏʟ Jay 0D Side Etch exc 0, ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴄᴀᴘɪᴛᴏʟ stamps

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 15 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1970s7 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1977AustraliaCapitol Records SIJ.101First yearLP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1977CanadaCapitol Records SABB-11531First yearLP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1977UKCapitol Records CAPSP 101 / Capitol Records 0C 154-85 158/9First yearLP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1977USCapitol Records SABB 511531LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club editionLP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition
1977USCapitol Special Markets SLB-8086First yearLP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1977USCapitol Records SABB-11531First yearLP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1977USCapitol Records SABB-11531First yearLP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1980s3 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1983CanadaCapitol Records SABB-11531LP, Compilation, ReissueLP, Compilation, Reissue
1983CanadaCapitol Records SABB-11531LP, Compilation, ReissueLP, Compilation, Reissue
1983USCapitol Records SABB-11531LP, Compilation, ReissueLP, Compilation, Reissue
Year unknown5 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?CanadaCapitol Records SABB-11531LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
?SwedenCapitol Records 7C 154-85158/9LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
?USCapitol Records SABB-11531LP, Compilation, ReissueLP, Compilation, Reissue
?USCapitol Records SABB-11531LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club editionLP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition
?USCapitol Records SABB-11531LP, CompilationLP, Compilation

Tracklist

  1. A1Okie From Muskogee2:53
  2. A2The Emptiest Arms In The World2:50
  3. A3Mama Tried2:10
  4. A4Swinging Doors2:51
  5. A5Uncle Lem2:54
  6. B1The Fightin' Side Of Me2:48
  7. B2Sing Me Back Home2:45
  8. B3Silver Wings2:53
  9. B4Sing A Sad Song2:30
  10. B5Honky Tonk Night Time Man2:38
  11. C1Kentucky Gambler2:39
  12. C2I'm A Lonesome Fugitive2:55
  13. C3Things Aren't Funny Anymore2:40
  14. C4Daddy Frank (The Guitar Man)3:10
  15. C5I Forget You Every Day2:52
  16. D1Workin' Man Blues2:33
  17. D2Love And Honor2:47
  18. D3Branded Man3:04
  19. D4Someday We'll Look Back2:28
  20. D5I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am1:56

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Songs I'll Always Sing are there?

15 vinyl pressings of Songs I'll Always Sing are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1977 and 1983.

When was Songs I'll Always Sing first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Canada. One of them is Capitol Special Markets SLB-8086, released April 11, 1977.

How do I tell if my copy of Songs I'll Always Sing is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SLB-8086, SABB-11531, CAPSP 101, SIJ.101) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SLB-1-8086 J-3 #1 (x in a circle) JAy and SLB-2-8086 J -5 #1 (x in a circle) JAy. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Songs I'll Always Sing on vinyl worth?

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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