Vinyl pressings
by Neil Sedaka · 1974
Sedaka's Back was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 2 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.
MCA 596 W-2 ◈-P-◈Side A runout, variant 1
MCA 597 W-2 ◈-P-◈Side B runout, variant 1
MCA 596 W-2 ◈-P-◈ //// ////Side A runout, variant 2
MCA 597 W-2 ◈-P-◈ ////Side B runout, variant 2
MCA 596-W1Runout side A stamped, variant 1
MCA--597-W1Runout side B stamped, variant 1
MCA 596 W-1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side A etched, ⧈-G-⧈ stamped, variant 2
MCA 597 W-1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side B etched, ⧈-G-⧈ stamped, variant 2
MCA 596 W-1X R ◈-P-◈Hand Etched Runout, Side A
MCA 597 W-1 3 ◈-P-◈Hand Etched Runout, Side B
ZMCA-SBBB 596-W3.(Var. 1, Side A runout, etched)
MCA--597--2A(Var. 1, Side B runout, stamped)
ZMCA-SBBB-596-W3. C4(Var. 2, Side A runout, etched)
IS-BBB-MCA 597-W3 C4(Var. 2, Side B runout, etched)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Canada | Polydor 2383 312First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Polydor 2383 312First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Polydor 2383 312First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | The Rocket Record Company MCA-463First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1974 | US | The Rocket Record Company MCA-463First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | The Rocket Record Company MCA-463First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1974 | US | The Rocket Record Company MCA-463First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | The Rocket Record Company MCA-463LP, Album, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1974 | US | The Rocket Record Company MCA-463LP, Album, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1974 | US | The Rocket Record Company MCA-463First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1974 | US | The Rocket Record Company MCA-463LP, Album, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1975 | Canada | Polydor 2383 312LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | US | Primary Wave Music 792755863367LP, Compilation, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
13 vinyl pressings of Sedaka's Back are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 1974 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Canada. One of them is The Rocket Record Company MCA-463, released November 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-463, 2383 312) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 596 W-2 ◈-P-◈ and MCA 597 W-2 ◈-P-◈. 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.
