US
1973- Label and catalog number
- MCA Records MCA-2103
- Format
- LP, Album, Compilation · Gloversville Pressing
- Runout / matrix
MCA 250 W2 R II DWJ ⧈-G-⧈Side One scribe
MCA 251 W2 I DWJ ⧈-G-⧈Side Two scribe
Vinyl pressings
Rainbow
by Neil Diamond · 1973
60 pressings24 countriesRockPop
Rainbow was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. 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 Rainbow
28 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 18 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
1973- Label and catalog number
- MCA Records MCA 2103
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
⧈-G-⧈Runout Both Sides, Stamped
US
1973- Label and catalog number
- MCA Records MCA-2103
- Format
- LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo · Pinckneyville Pressing
- Runout / matrix
MCA 250 W2 R ⧈-P-⧈ ̷|̷|̷|̷|̷Runout, Side A, Etched, ⧈-P-⧈ Stamped
MCA 251 W-2 TML ⧈-P-⧈ ̷|̷|̷|̷|̷ ||||Runout, Side B, Etched, TML ⧈-P-⧈ Stamped
MCA250Label, Side A, Matrix
MCA251Label, Side B, Matrix
US
1973- Label and catalog number
- MCA Records MCA-2103
- Format
- LP, Album · Pinckneyville Pressing
- Runout / matrix
[MCA 250 W2 R] ◈-P-◈ [卌]Side A, stamped, [] etched,
[MCA 251 W-2] TML ◈-P-◈ [卌 IIII]Side B, stamped, [] etched
Australia
1973- Label and catalog number
- MCA Records MAPS-7018
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
(Side 1 etched) MAPS - 7018 - A2 DR
(Side 2 etched) MAPS - 7018 - B2 DR
Australia
1973- Label and catalog number
- MCA Records MAPS-7018
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
MAPS - 7018 - A3 DRSide A runout
MAPS - 7018 - B3 fhSide B runout
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 60 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s51 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | MCA Records MAPS-7018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Australia | MCA Records MAPS-7018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Australia | MCA Records MAPS-7018First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Belgium | MCA Records 4C 062-95074First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Brazil | MCA Records MCALP 600.061First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2103LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2103First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2103First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2103First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Not On Label 7018First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Germany | MCA Records MAPS 7018First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Germany | UNI Records MAPS 7018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Greece | MCA Records MCA 55211First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Greece | MCA Records MCA 55211First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Jamaica | MCA Records MCA-2103First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
1980s6 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | MCA Coral PRI 20001LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37059 / MCA Records MCA - 37059LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37059 / MCA Records MCA - 37059LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA 37059 / MCA Records MCA-37059LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| 1980 | Uruguay | MCA Records 8811LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | MCA Records 201 378-320LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Year unknown3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4004LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Malaysia | MCA Records MCA 2103LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-2103 / MCA Records MCA-37059LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1Everybody's Talkin'2:46
- A2Both Sides Now3:30
- A3Husbands And Wives3:54
- A4Chelsea Morning2:32
- A5Until It's Time For You To Go3:29
- A6The Last Thing On My Mind3:31
- B1Suzanne4:41
- B2Mr. Bojangles4:53
- B3If You Go Away3:47
- B4I Think It's Gonna Rain Today2:36
- B5He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother3:59
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Rainbow are there?
60 vinyl pressings of Rainbow are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1973 and 1981.
When was Rainbow first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Australia, Belgium, Brazil and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-2103.
How do I tell if my copy of Rainbow is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-2103, MCA 2103, MAPS-7018, 4C 062-95074) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 250 W2 R II DWJ ⧈-G-⧈ and MCA 251 W2 I DWJ ⧈-G-⧈. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Rainbow 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.
