Vinyl pressings
by Shirley Bassey · 1984
I Am What I Am was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 11 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.
TOWLP 7-A-2 BILBO.TAPE one DAMONT MT 2Runout side A, variant 1
TOWLP 7B-1 BILBO.TAPE one DAMONT ✶MT ✶ 2Runout side B, variant 1
TOWLP-7-A BILBO.TAPEONE MT.1 DAMONTRunout side A, variant 2
TOWLP-7-B3 BILBO.TAPEONE MT.1 DAMONTRunout side B, variant 2
ASH 300 A LIB 5042 A APSide A runout, etched
ASH 300 B LIB 5042 B APSide B runout, etched
DM 206579 A-1/84 S IIIRunout side A, stamped
DM 206579 B-1/84 S IIIRunout side B, stamped
IIRunout side B, etched
S 206 579 ALabel side A
DM 206579 A-1/84 S IIIRunout side A, stamped
DM 206579 B-1/84 S III IIRunout side B, stamped/"II" etched
S 206 579 ALabel side A
S 206 579 BLabel side B
540102 ASide A Label
540102 BSide B Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Europe | Ariola 206 579 / HÖR ZU 206 579First yearLP | LP |
| 1984 | Europe | Ariola 206 579 / HÖR ZU 206 579First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Towerbell Records 540102 / Vogue 540102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | Towerbell Records TOWLP 7First yearLP | LP |
| 1984 | France | Towerbell Records 540102 / Vogue 540102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Ariola 206 579First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Ariola 46 496 6LP, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | Greece | Minos MILP 10076First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Ireland | Towerbell Records TOWLP 7First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Israel | Towerbell Records TOWLP 7First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Portugal | Towerbell Records TM/TOW 7First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Scandinavia | Towerbell Records TOW-3002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | South Africa | Ariola CBK(V) 7029First yearLP | LP |
| 1984 | UK | Towerbell Records TOWLP 7First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Australia | Towerbell Records ASH 300 / Liberation Records ASH 300First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
17 vinyl pressings of I Am What I Am are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Australia, Europe, France and more. One of them is Towerbell Records TOWLP 7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TOWLP 7, ASH 300, 206 579, 540102) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TOWLP 7-A-2 BILBO.TAPE one DAMONT MT 2 and TOWLP 7B-1 BILBO.TAPE one DAMONT ✶MT ✶ 2. 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.
