Vinyl pressings
by Sam Cooke · 1964
Shake / A Change Is Gonna Come was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1964, the album's first year, in 6 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.
RK3M--3901--1S A2 RA-Side Runout Etching variant 1
RK3M--3904--1S RB-Side Runout Etching variant 1
RK3M--3901--1S A1 RA-Side Runout variant 2
RK3M-3904--2S RB-Side Runout variant 2
RK3M--3901--3S I A1A-side stamped runout, variant 1
RK3M--3904--3S I A4B-side stamped runout, variant 1
RK3M--3901--3S I A5A-side stamped runout, variant 2
RK3M--3904--3S I A4B-side stamped runout, variant 2
RK3M-3901--4S HSide A runout
RK3M-3904--4S HSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Australia | RCA 47-8486First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1964 | Canada | RCA Victor 47-8486First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1964 | Canada | RCA Victor 47-8486First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1964 | Greece | RCA Victor 47g 1088First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1964 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 47-8486First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1964 | South Africa | RCA Victor 41.767First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | RCA Victor 47-8486First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1964 | US | RCA Victor 47-8486First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1964 | US | RCA Victor 47-8486First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1964 | US | RCA Victor 47-8486First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1965 | Australia | RCA 47-84867", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1965 | Chile | RCA Victor 47-84867", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1965 | Chile | RCA Victor 47-84867", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Germany | RCA Victor 47-84867", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Japan | Victor SS-15377", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Worldwide | ABKCO 2186-17", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Turkey | RCA Victor 47-84867", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
20 vinyl pressings of Shake / A Change Is Gonna Come are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1964 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US, Canada, Greece, New Zealand and more. One of them is RCA Victor 47-8486, released December 1964.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 47-8486, 47g 1088, 41.767) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RK3M--3901--1S A2 R and RK3M--3904--1S R. 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.
