US
July 1974- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 73609
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene
- Runout / matrix
MASTERDISKStamped onto deadwax on both sides
2-51268Label Side A
2-51272Label Side B
2-51268-CP-3A side deadwax - scribed
Ohio PlayersSkin Tight / Heaven Must Be Like This
Vinyl pressings
Skin Tight / Heaven Must Be Like This
by Ohio Players · 1974
21 pressings9 countriesSoulFunkDiscoFunk / Soul
Skin Tight / Heaven Must Be Like This 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Skin Tight / Heaven Must Be Like This
18 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 9 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
1974- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 73609
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Styrene
- Runout / matrix
T 2-51268-CT-1 (PA) MASTERDISKEtched (PA in a Circle, MASTERDISK Stamped) on A Side Runout
T 2-51272-CT-1 (PA) MASTERDISKEtched (PA in a Circle, MASTERDISK Stamped) on B Side Runout
2-51268Label A Side
2-51272Label B Side
US
1974- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 73609
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Santa Maria Pressing
- Runout / matrix
2 - 51268 - CS - 5
2 - 51272 - CS - 5
US
1974- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 73609
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM
- Runout / matrix
2-51268Side A Label
2-51272Side B Label
US
1974- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 73609
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene · Terre Haute pressing
- Runout / matrix
2-51268-CT-1 PU MASTERDISC TA side runout
2-51272-CT-2 PU T111B side runout
2-51268Side A Label
2-51272Side B Label
US
1974- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 73609
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 21 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s20 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Mercury 6167 012First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Canada | Mercury M-73609First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Canada | Mercury M-73609First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Germany | Mercury 6167 012First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Guatemala | Mercury 73609First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Japan | Mercury SFL-1873First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Japan | Mercury sfl-1873First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Philippines | Mercury MER-1170First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Spain | Mercury 61 67 012First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | Mercury 6167 012First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | UK | Mercury 6167 012First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Mercury 73609First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1974 | US | Mercury 73609First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Mercury 73609First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | US | Mercury 73609First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
2000s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | US | Mercury 73609-1212", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
Tracklist
- ASkin Tight2:50
- BHeaven Must Be Like This2:42
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Skin Tight / Heaven Must Be Like This are there?
21 vinyl pressings of Skin Tight / Heaven Must Be Like This are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1974 and 2008.
When was Skin Tight / Heaven Must Be Like This first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Mercury 73609, released July 1974.
How do I tell if my copy of Skin Tight / Heaven Must Be Like This is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 73609, 6167 012, M-73609, SFL-1873) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MASTERDISK and 2-51268. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Skin Tight / Heaven Must Be Like This 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.
