Vinyl pressings
by Stevie Wonder · 1970
We Can Work It Out was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 3 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.
W4-S5-L-795SO3 T-54202B X P A4KM-2027-1 ARPMono Side Runout
T-54202 W4-S5-L-775S03-1 STEREO X A 4KS-2656-1 ARPStereo Side Runout
W4-S5-L-795SO3Mono and Stereo Labels Identical
W4-S5-L-795SO3Stereo Side Label
TMG 772 A-1 A KT 1Stamped runout, side A
TMG 772 B-1 A KT 1Stamped runout, side B
TMG 772 A-1Side A
TMG 772 B-1Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Ireland | Tamla Motown TMG (I)772First year7", 45 RPM, Single, 7", 7" | 7", 45 RPM, Single, 7", 7" |
| 1970 | Ireland | Tamla Motown TMG(I)772First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Portugal | Tamla TMG 772 / Motown TMG 772First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1970 | US | Tamla T 54202First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| 1971 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-94467", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-94467", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Canada | Tamla Motown T 542027", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1C 006-92 3577", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Italy | Tamla Motown TSM-NP 641077", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Jamaica | Tamla Motown T 542027", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Japan | Motown JET-20517", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 006-92357 / Tamla Motown 5C 006-92 3577", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 006-923577", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown TMM.7907", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Norway | Tamla Motown TMG 7727", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Motown 542027", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | Brazil | Motown 54202 / Tapecar 542027", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Tamla T 542027", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
33 vinyl pressings of We Can Work It Out are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1970 and 1971.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Ireland, Portugal. One of them is Tamla T 54202.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T 54202, TMG (I)772, TMG(I)772, TMG 772) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, W4-S5-L-795SO3 T-54202B X P A4KM-2027-1 ARP and T-54202 W4-S5-L-775S03-1 STEREO X A 4KS-2656-1 ARP. 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.
