Vinyl pressings
by Sarah Vaughan · 1981
Songs Of The Beatles was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 17 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.
STA 773861-A O-/SM2-1 (PR)Side A, etched, Variant 1
TML-MSide A, stamped, Variant 1
STA 773862-A (PR)Side B, etched, Variant 1
TML-MSide B, stamped, Variant 1
ST-A-773861-ARSide One Label
ST-A-773862-ARSide Two Label
ST-A-773861Side One Label
ST-A-773862Side Two Label
MX198441Side One Label
MX198442Side Two Label
20061 A CAMRunout, Side A
20061 B CAMRunout, Side B
20.061-ALabel, Side A
20.061-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | Atlantic 83800First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | Atlantic SD 16037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | Atlantic 20.061First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic XSD 16037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic XSD 16037First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 792First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Guatemala | Atlantic SD-16037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Atlantic ATL 50792First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Atlantic P-10987AFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Atlantic P-10987AFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Mexico | Atlantic LWA-6028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Atlantic SD 16037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Panama | Atlantic SD 16037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Peru | Atlantic Y - ALT 00116037.4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Portugal | Atlantic ATL 50792First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Brazil | Atlantic 670.9162LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Atlantic 604.7021 / Atlantic 20.061LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
22 vinyl pressings of Songs Of The Beatles are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1981 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Argentina, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 16037.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 16037, 83800, 20.061, XSD 16037) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STA 773861-A O-/SM2-1 (PR) and TML-M. 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.
