Vinyl pressings
by Olivia Newton-John · 1976
Sam was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1976, 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.
MC 5372 W-1 回-G-回A-Side Runout Etching
MC 5370 W-1 回-G-回B-Side Runout Etching
MC 5372 W-2 回-G-回(Variant 1) A-Side Runout Etching
MC 5370 W-1 回-G-回(Variant 1) B-Side Runout Etching
EMI 2616 A 5Runout side A
EMI 2616 B 2Runout side B
EMI 2616 ALabel side A
EMI 2616 BLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Chile | EMI 1301First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | MCA Records MCA-40670First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Argentina | EMI 2616 / EMI 16217", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Argentina | EMI 16217", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Australia | Interfusion K 66747", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Barbados | EMI EMI 26167", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Belgium | EMI 4C-006-991017", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Bolivia | EMI International BO-11907", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1977 | Brazil | EMI EMI 41077", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-406707", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Chile | EMI 13017", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | France | Sonopresse 40.2557", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Germany | EMI Electrola 1C 006-991017", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Ireland | EMI EMI 26167", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Ireland | EMI EMI 26167", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-406707", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
35 vinyl pressings of Sam are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Chile. One of them is MCA Records MCA-40670.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-40670, 1301) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC 5372 W-1 回-G-回 and MC 5370 W-1 回-G-回. 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.
