Vinyl pressings
by Neil Diamond · 1988
The Best Years Of Our Lives was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
AL-45025 1A DMM G1 Sterling B12Runout side A, variant 1
BL 45025 -1A DMM G3 Sterling A5Runout side B, variant 1
AL-45025 A̶L̶-̶4̶0̶5̶2̶5̶ 1A DMM G1 Sterling B7Runout side A, variant 2
BL 45025 B̶L̶-̶4̶0̶5̶2̶5̶ -1A DMM G4 Sterling B2Runout side B, variant 2
4632011 A2Runout side A
463201-1-B-1 AD2Runout side B
4632011 A2 8 ARunout side A
463201-1-B-1 1 ARunout side B
AL-45025 A̶L̶-̶4̶0̶5̶2̶5̶ 1A DMM G1 Sterling B7Side A etched runout
BL-45025 B̶L̶-̶4̶0̶5̶2̶5̶-1A DMM G1 C5 SterlingSide B etched runout
AL 45025Side A label
BL 45025Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | CBS 70-042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Australia | CBS 463201 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Brazil | CBS 177.128/1-463201 / Discos CBS 177.128First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Columbia OC 45025First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | CBS CBS 463201 1 / CBS (OC 45025)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Israel | CBS CBS 463201 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Mexico | Columbia ZRI-463201First yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1988 | South Africa | CBS ASF 3254First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | CBS 463201 1LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | CBS CBS 463201 1 / CBS CBS 463201-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | CBS 463201 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | CBS 463201 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Columbia OC 45025First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Columbia OC 45025First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Yugoslavia | ZKP RTVL LL-1851 / CBS LL 1851LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of The Best Years Of Our Lives are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1988 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, Canada, Argentina and more. One of them is Columbia OC 45025.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use OC 45025, 463201 1, 70-042, 177.128/1-463201) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-45025 1A DMM G1 Sterling B12 and BL 45025 -1A DMM G3 Sterling A5. 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.
