Vinyl pressings
by Roger Daltrey · 1980
Free Me was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 15 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.
2001980 A // 2 ∇ E ST 1 1 1 SIDE A STERLING GCA side stamped runout, "SIDE A", "GC" etched
2001980 B // 2 ∇ E STR 1 1 1 SIDE B STERLINGA side stamped runout, "SIDE B" etched
2001980 A // 2 ∇ E ST 1 1 1 SIDE A STERLINGA Side Runout
2001980 B // 2 ∇ E STR 1 1 1 SIDE B STERLINGB Side Runout
PD.2105.80.NP.5178-S-PRC-C-~-1-1 3̲ STERLINGSide A runout (STERLING stamped), variant 1
PD2105 80MP.5179.S-PRC-R1- STERLINGSide B runout (STERLING stamped), variant 1
PD.2105.80.NP.5178-S.PRC-C-2-1-1 STERLINGSide A runout (STERLING stamped), variant 2
PD 210580MP.5179.S-PRC.R-2-1-1 STERLINGSide B runout (STERLING stamped), variant 2
(A) PD2105.80.NP.5178.S-PRC-C CH-1-1-1 A
(B) PD2105 80MP.5179.S-PRC-C1-1-1 B
STERLINGRunout, stamped on both sides
PD 2105 80 NP· 5178 -S-Pw [upside down:] (PR) PRunout, etched, side A
PD·2105 80 NP· 5179· S.Pw1 [upside down:] (PR) PRunout, etched, side B
(80 NP 5178)Label Matrix, side A
- \¯- PD∙2105∙80∙NP∙∙5178∙S-PRC-B̷ C ch■-1-1-1 A STERLINGRunout, side A, etched & stamped
- \¯- PD 2105 80NP∙5179∙S-PRC-C1-1-1 B STERLINGRunout, side B, etched & stamped
80 NP 5178Label, side A
80 NP 5179Label, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | Polydor 2001 980First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Australia | Polydor 2001 980First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | Polydor PD 2105First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | Polydor 2001 980First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Ireland | Polydor 2001 980First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Polydor POLY 103First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Norway | Polydor 2001 980First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | South Africa | Polydor PS 1189First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Spain | Polydor 20 01 980 / Polydor 2001 980First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | Polydor PD 2105First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | Polydor PD 2105 / Polydor PD-2105First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Polydor PD 2105 / Polydor 2001 980First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | Polydor PD-2105 / Polydor PD 2105First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Polydor PD 2105 / BGO Records PD 2105First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1980 | Belgium | Polydor 2001 980First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
21 vinyl pressings of Free Me are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Belgium, France and more. One of them is Polydor 2001 980, released July 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2001 980, PD 2105, PD-2105, DPQ6198) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2001980 A // 2 ∇ E ST 1 1 1 SIDE A STERLING GC and 2001980 B // 2 ∇ E STR 1 1 1 SIDE B STERLING. 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.
