Vinyl pressings
by Neil Diamond · 1969
Sweet Caroline was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. 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 1969, the album's first year, in 11 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.
.279 T3A side deadwax scribed, variant 1
.280 T4B side deadwax scribed, variant 1
.279 T10A side deadwax scribed, variant 2
.280 T10B side deadwax scribed, variant 2
279 T5 (MR) Δ76524Runout Side A, variant 1
280 T5 (MR) Δ76524-XRunout Side B, variant 1
.279 T11 (MR) ^ Δ76524Runout Side A, variant 2
.280 T11 (MR) ^ Δ76524-XRunout Side B, variant 2
.279 T1 2 IIIIRunout A etched, variant 1
.280 T1 2Runout B etched, variant 1
.279 T7 2Runout A etched, variant 2
.280 T7 2Runout B etched, variant 2
.279 T3A side deadwax scribed, variant 1
.280 T4B side deadwax scribed, variant 1
.279 T10A side deadwax scribed, variant 2
.280 T10B side deadwax scribed, variant 2
.279 T2A side deadwax, etched
.280 T1B side deadwax, etched
.279Label side A
.280Label side B
.279-T6 MR (in circle) ^76524
.279 Tll MR (in circle) ^76524
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Canada | UNI Records 55136First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Denmark | Stateside 6E 006-90423First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | France | Stateside 2 C006-90423 M / Stateside 2C 006-90.423 MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Mexico | Decca 45-I-140First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Stateside 5C 006.90423 MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Stateside MSS.2262First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | UK & Europe | UNI Records UN 511 / UNI Records MC 1509First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | US | UNI Records 55136First year7", Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1969 | US | UNI Records 55136First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1969 | US | UNI Records 55136First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | US | UNI Records 55136First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | US | UNI Records 55136First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | UNI Records 55136First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | UK | MCA Records MU 1087First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | Australia | MCA Records MCA 1003First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Spain | Stateside 1 J 006-90.423 M7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB S-53 618 / UNI Records7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Netherlands | UNI Records 6073 0257", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | UNI Records 551367", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Canada | UNI Records 551367", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Greece | Stateside GSS 2317", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | Lebanon | MCA Records MC 11937", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | New Zealand | MCA Records MCA 10037", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
24 vinyl pressings of Sweet Caroline are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1969 and 1971.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Australia, Japan and more. One of them is UNI Records 55136, released May 28, 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 55136, MU 1087, MCA 1003, D-1001) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, .279 T3 and .280 T4. 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.
