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Merle HaggardThe Way I Am

Vinyl pressings

The Way I Am

by Merle Haggard · 1980

12 pressings7 countriesCountryFolkWorld& Country

The Way I Am was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 The Way I Am

10 pressings came out in 1980, 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.

US

1980
Label and catalog number
MCA Records MCA3229MCA Records MCA-3229
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

MCA 2160 W1 ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout

MCA 2161 W1 ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout

MCA2160Side A label

MCA2161Side B label

Full details of this pressing

US

1980
Label and catalog number
MCA Records MCA-37207 (MCA 2160)
Format
LP, Album · Pinckneyville Pressing
Runout / matrix

MCA 2160 W2 ◈-P-◈Side A Runout

MCA 2161 W1 ◈-P-◈Side B Runout

Full details of this pressing

US

1980
Label and catalog number
MCA Records MCA-1681MCA Records MCA-3229
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

MCA2160Side A, Printed On Label

MCA2161Side B, Printed On Label

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 12 vinyl pressings

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

1980s12 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1980AustraliaMCA Records MCA 3229First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1980CanadaMCA Records MCA-3229First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1980New ZealandMCA Records MCA 3229First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1980ScandinaviaMCA Records MCA3229First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1980UKMCA Records MCF 3072First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1980USMCA Records MCA3229 / MCA Records MCA-3229First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1980USMCA Records MCA-1681 / MCA Records MCA-1681First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1980USMCA Records MCA3229LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressingLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing
1980USMCA Records MCA-37207 (MCA 2160)First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1980USMCA Records MCA-1681 / MCA Records MCA-3229First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1980YugoslaviaBeograd Disk LPS-1021 / MCA Records LPS-1021First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1982CanadaMCA Records MCA-37207LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue

Tracklist

  1. A1The Way I Am2:52
  2. A2Sky-Bo3:29
  3. A3No One To Sing For (But The Band)3:32
  4. A4(Remember Me) I'm The One Who Loves You2:58
  5. A5Life's Just Not The Way It Used To Be2:51
  6. B1Wake Up4:03
  7. B2Where Have You Been2:45
  8. B3Take Me Back And Try Me One More Time2:48
  9. B4I'll Always Be Glad To Take You Back3:14
  10. B5It Makes No Difference Now3:04
  11. B6It's Been So Long, Darlin'3:01

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of The Way I Am are there?

12 vinyl pressings of The Way I Am are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1980 and 1982.

When was The Way I Am first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA3229.

How do I tell if my copy of The Way I Am is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA3229, MCA-1681, MCA-37207 (MCA 2160), MCF 3072) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 2160 W1 ⧈-G-⧈ and MCA 2161 W1 ⧈-G-⧈. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is The Way I Am 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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