Vinyl pressings
by Michael Jackson · 1972
I Wanna Be Where You Are. was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 10 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.
TVC PC M-1202-f-P4323-60812-9AA-Side Runout Etching
TVC PC M1202f-T2396-60804-7AB-Side Runout Etching
60812Side A label
60804Side B label
M1202-F-P4323-60812-9ASRunout Area Side A
M1202-F-P4323-60804-7BSRunout Area Side B
60812Label Side A
60804Label Side B
M1202-F-P4323-60812-9A M-1202-A-1A-SRunout Area Side A
M1202-f-T2396-60804-7A M-1202-B-1B-SRunout Area Side B
60812Label Side A
60801Label Side B
M1202-F-P4323-60812-9ASRunout Area Side A
M1202-F-P4323-60804-7BSRunout Area Side B
60812Label Side A
60801Label Side B
M1202F-P4323-60812-9A M TVC PEMono Side Runout
M1202F-P4323-60812-9A S 1 TVC PEStereo Side Runout
60812-MA and B Labels Identical
M1202F-P4323-60812-9A M M-1202 A-1A S SMono Side Runout, etched
M1202F-P4323-60812-9A S M-1202 A-1A M SStereo Side Runout, etched
60812-MMono Side
60812-SStereo Side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Canada | Tamla Motown M 1202FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1 C 006-93 524First year7", Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | Italy | Tamla Motown TSM NP 64133First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Jamaica | Tamla Motown M 1202FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Japan | Motown JET-2128 / Motown MOT-1139First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | Motown JET-2128 / Motown MOT-1139First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 006-93 524 / Tamla Motown 5C 006-93524First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown TMM.834First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | US | Motown M 1202FFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | US | Motown M 1202FFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | US | Motown M 1202FFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Venezuela | Tamla Motown 13.290First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Portugal | Tamla Motown TMATS 5012First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | Motown M 1202F / Motown M-1202FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | Motown M 1202FFirst year7", Single, Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono | 7", Single, Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Thailand | Not On Label (Michael Jackson) M 1202F7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
17 vinyl pressings of I Wanna Be Where You Are. are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Portugal, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Motown M 1202F, released May 2, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M 1202F, TMATS 5012, 1 C 006-93 524, TSM NP 64133) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TVC PC M-1202-f-P4323-60812-9A and TVC PC M1202f-T2396-60804-7A. 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.
