Vinyl pressings
by Rockwell · 1983
Somebody's Watching Me was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 12 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.
4515MG-A-66949-D-15BSide 1 runout, variant 1
4515MG-B-66949-DI-15BSide 2 runout, variant 1
4515MG-A-66949-D-15B zgm#13 jm HSBM 1Side 1 runout, etched, variant 2
4515MG-B-66949-DI-15B zgm#13 jm HSBMSide 2 runout, etched, variant 2
4515MG-A-66949-D-15A EJM JMRunout Side A, variant 1
4515MG-B-66949-DI-15A EJM JMRunout Side B, variant 1
4515MG-A-66949-D-15B EJM JMRunout Side A, variant 2
4515MG-B-66949-DI-15B EJM JMRunout Side B, variant 2
Penthouse TMGT 1331 A-1-1-2 - Y1Side A runout groove, stamped
Penthouse TMGT 1331 B-1-1-3 - Y1Side B runout groove, stamped
TMGT 1331 A§Side A label
TMGT 1331 B§Side B label
TMG 1331 A - 1 - 1 - 1 - PenthouseRunout, A-side, stamped variant 1
TMG 1331 B - 1 - 1 - 1 - PenthouseRunout, B-side, stamped variant 1
TMG 1331 A-1-1- 1 - 1 PenthouseSide A runout variant 2
TMG 1331 B-1-1-1 - x1 PenthouseSide B runout variant 2
TMG - 1331 A - 2 SW P PenthouseRunout, A-side, etched; Penthouse stamped
TMG - 1331 B - 2 SW P PenthouseRunout, B-side, etched; Penthouse stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australasia | Motown 4515 MGFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Guatemala | Motown MF-1702First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | Motown TMG 1331First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Italy | Motown TMX 899First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Jamaica | Motown 1702MFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Motown ZC-64301First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Motown ZB-64300First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Panama | Motown 1702 MFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Philippines | Motown MT-25-425 / Motown 1702 MFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Motown ZB 69141First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Spain | Motown SPCO-60116 / Motown SPCO 60116First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Spain | Motown SPCO-60116First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | Motown TMGT 1331First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Motown TMG 1331First year7" | 7" |
| 1983 | UK | Motown TMGT 1331First year12", Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", Promo, White Label · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | US | Motown 4515MG12", Reissue | 12", Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Jamaica | Motown7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Motown 1702MF7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
60 vinyl pressings of Somebody's Watching Me are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1983 and 2006.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Australasia, Guatemala and more. One of them is Motown 4515MG, released December 27, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4515MG, TMGT 1331, TMG 1331, 1702 MF) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 4515MG-A-66949-D-15B and 4515MG-B-66949-DI-15B. 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.
