Vinyl pressings
by Sonny & Cher · 1972
A Cowboys Work Is Never Done was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 14 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.
KS-120872 [2] W5 2Runout, Side A Etched, [Scrated Out], variant 1
KS-12876 - W6Runout, Side B Etched, variant 1
KS-120872 [2] W5 2 IRunout, Side A Etched, [Scrated Out], variant 2
KS-12876 - W6 2 IIRunout, Side B Etched, variant 2
KS-12872Label Side A
KS-12876Label SIde B
KS-12872-W1Runout side A, etched, variant 1
KS-12876-W1Runout side B, etched, variant 1
KS-12872-W7Runout side A, etched, variant 2
KS-12876-W2Runout side B, etched, variant 2
KS-12872-W4 2Runout side A
KS-12876-W3 2IRunout side B
KS-12872Label Side A
KS-12876Label SIde B
K-12878-W3Mono Side Runout
KS-12872-W3Stereo Side Runout
K-12878Mono Label
KS-12878Stereo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | MCA Records MCA 1271First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Brazil | MCA Records MCACS-900.006First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Canada | Kapp Records K-2163First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Kapp Records K-2163First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | France | MCA Records 110.008 L / MCA Records N° 110008First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | MCA Records MCS 5904First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Greece | MCA Records 5514First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Italy | MCA Records MCS 5904First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Italy | MCA Records MC JB 5904First year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Stereo |
| 1972 | Italy | MCA Records MCS 5904First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | Japan | MCA Records D-1155First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | Japan | MCA Records D-1155First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | MCA Records MCS 5904First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | New Zealand | MCA Records MC/S 5904First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Spain | MCA Records SN - 20.662First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
24 vinyl pressings of A Cowboys Work Is Never Done are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Kapp Records KS-2163, released February 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KS-2163, K-2163, MU 1154, MCA 1271) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, KS-120872 [2] W5 2 and KS-12876 - W6. 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.
