Vinyl pressings
by Stargard · 1977
Theme Song From "Which Way Is Up" was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1977, 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.
MC 6914 W-3 LBA side runout, variant 1
MC-6195-B-KR 1 KENDUN-C ⧈-G-⧈B side runout, variant 1
MC 6914 W-3 LB ⧈-G-⧈A side runout, variant 2
6915 MC-6̶1̶9̶5̶-B-KR 1 KENDUN-C ⧈-G-⧈B side runout, variant 2
MC 6914 W-4 ◈-P-◈ LBRunout, Side A, Etched
MC 6915 MC-̵̶̵6̵̶̵1̵̶̵9̵̶̵5̵̶̵-BKR 2 [KENDUN-C] ◈-P-◈Runout, Side B, Etched, Except [Stamped]
MC6914Label Side A
MC6915Label Side B
MC-7045-KR1 KENDUN-A JG ⧈-G-⧈A-Side Runout
MC-6915-KR1 KENDUN-A JG ⧈-G-⧈B-Side Runout
MC 7045A-Side Label
MC 6915B-Side Label
MC-7045-KR-2 KENDUN-A JG ◈-P-◈Run-out A-side
MC-6915-KR-2 KENDUN-A JG ◈-P-◈Run-out B-side
MC7045Label A-side
MC6915Label B-side
MC6914Label Side A
MC6915Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | MCA Records MCA 1583First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Austria | MCA Records 32 038 / MCA Records 0032.038First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Belgium | MCA Records 4C006-60433First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-13903First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-13903First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-40825First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | France | MCA Records 110 087First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Germany | MCA Records 0032.038 / MCA Records MCA 40825First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Germany | MCA Records 0032.038First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Germany | MCA Records 0032.038First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Ireland | MCA Records MCA 346First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Italy | MCA Records MCAN 40825First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1977 | Jamaica | MCA Records MCA-40825First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Jamaica | MCA Records MCA-40825First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-1340First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
36 vinyl pressings of Theme Song From "Which Way Is Up" are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-40825.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-40825, L45-1970, MCA 346, MCA 1583) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC 6914 W-3 LB and MC-6195-B-KR 1 KENDUN-C ⧈-G-⧈. 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.
