Vinyl pressings
by Monty Python · 1983
Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 5 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.
CBS - 70239-A1Side A, hand-etched
A PORKY PRIME CUT GADZOOKS!!! NO TIME LEFT. TURN OVER FOR "THE MEANING OF LIFE" NOW. ALL WILL BE REVEALEDSide A, hand-etched
CBS - 70239-B1Side B, hand-etched
A PORKY PRIME CUT NO FISH ADITIVES USED WHATSOVER, SEE COVER FOR FURTHER DETAILS OF PHILOSOPHY LPSSide B, hand-etched
MCA-3464-W4 KP6/MCA ◈-P-◈Runout, side A
MCA-3465-W4 KP6/MCA ◈-P-◈Runout, side B
MCA3464Center label, side A
MCA3465Center label, side B
MCA-3464-W4 KPG/MCASide A runout, etched (variant 1)
MCA-3465-W4 KPG/MCASide B runout, etched (variant 1)
MCA-3464-W2 KPG/MCA 回-G-回Side A runout, etched (variant 2)
MCA-3465-W2 KPG/MCA 回-G-回Side B runout, etched (variant 2)
G MX202794 SBP 237921-1Side 1 runout, stamped
G MX202795 SBP 237921-2Side 2 runout, stamped
MCA-3464-U2 KP6/MCARunout, side A
MCA-3465-WI KP6/MCARunout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | CBS SBP 237921First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia | CBS SBP 237921First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-6121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Ireland | CBS CBS 70239First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | CBS CBS 70239First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA-6121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA-6121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Charisma 0602537848676 / Charisma MPYTHONLP9LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2019 | Europe | UMC 806131LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | UK & Europe | Virgin Records Ltd. INTGDS00029LPLP, Reissue, Special Edition, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Reissue, Special Edition, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
10 vinyl pressings of Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1983 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is CBS CBS 70239.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CBS 70239, MCA-6121, SBP 237921) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CBS - 70239-A1 and A PORKY PRIME CUT GADZOOKS!!! NO TIME LEFT. TURN OVER FOR "THE MEANING OF LIFE" NOW. ALL WILL BE REVEALED. 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.
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