Vinyl pressings
by Roberta Flack · 1973
Killing Me Softly With His Song was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
64 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 35 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.
ST-A-25765-16 P P CDKRunout A etched
ST-A-18869-7 P P AT/DKRunout B etched
ST-A-25765-PLLabel A
ST-A-18869-PLLabel B
ST-A-25765-B CDKSide A etched Variant 1
ST-A-18869-1 1-4 AT/DKSide B etched Variant 1
ST-A-25765-14 CLAIR K 1-1Side A etched Variant 2
ST-A-18869-1 1-4 AT/DKSide B etched Variant 2
∆90519 ST-A-25765-MO-17-RE 11 CDKEtching Side A Var 1
ST-A-25765-MO-12 ex ∆90490 AT/DKEtching Side B Var 1
∆90519 ST-A-25765-18-RE (MR) CLAIR K.Etching Side A Var 2
ST-A-18869-9 (MR) ∆90490 AT/DKEtching Side B Var 2
[SRC logo] ST-A-25765-14 (Ƨ) CLAIR KRunout, side A
ST-A-18869-3 AT/DK [SRC logo]Runout, side B
ST-A-25765 LYLabel, side A
ST-A-18869 LYLabel, side B
ST-A-25765-6Runout A
ST-A-18869-6Runout B
P P AT/DKRunout A & B, etched
ST-A-25765-PLLabel A
ST-A-25765-13 CDKEtched runout A
ST-A-18869-3 AT/DKEtched runout B
ST-A-188869 SPLabel Side A
ST-A-25765 SPLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Angola | Atlantic ATS 597First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Angola | Atlantic ATS 597First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Angola | Atlantic ATS 597 / Fantasy ATS 597First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Argentina | Atlantic 32.007First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Australia | Atlantic 45-2940First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Brazil | ATCO Records ATCS 10.050First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Atlantic AT 2940First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Atlantic AT 2940First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Atlantic AT 2940First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | El Salvador | Atlantic 45-2940First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Finland | Atlantic ATL. 10.282First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Finland | Atlantic ATL. 10.282First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | France | Atlantic 10 282 / Atlantic 2940First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | France | Atlantic 10 282 / Atlantic 2940First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | France | Atlantic 10 282 / Atlantic 10282First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | ATCO Records ATCS 10.050 / ATCO Records 3-02-101-0017", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Atlantic AT 29407", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 10 2827", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 10 2827", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Panama | Atlantic 29407", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
72 vinyl pressings of Killing Me Softly With His Song are listed here, from 36 countries, released between 1973 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Angola, Argentina and more. One of them is Atlantic 45-2940, released January 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-2940, K 10282, ATS 597, 32.007) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-25765-16 P P CDK and ST-A-18869-7 P P AT/DK. 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.
