Vinyl pressings
by Sylvia Robinson · 1973
Pillow Talk / My Thing was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
44 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 22 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.
VI-521-GMA side deadwax - scribed
[SRC logo] (stamped, sideways, backwards) ST-12008 GM- RE-2(scribed) STERLING(stamped)B side deadwax
VI-257-GM-RE ② (MR in a circle) Δ90984 J PYNES LOVES SYLVIAA side runout
ST-12008-GM-RE2 Δ90985B side runout
VI-257-GMSide A Label
ST-12008-GM-RE 2Side B Label
VI-257-GMSide A label, variant 1
ST-12008-GM RE 2Side B label, variant 1
VI-257-GM-RESide A label, variant 2
ST-12008-GM-RE 2Side B label, variant 2
VI-257-GM R 2Runout, side A, etched, variant 1
ST-12008-GM RE 2 2Runout, side B, etched, variant 1
VI-257-GM RE 21 1Runout, side A, etched, variant 2
ST-12008-GM-RE2Runout, side B, etched, variant 2
VI-257-GMRunout, Side A
ST-12008 GM-RE-2 (SRC)Runout, Side B
VI-257-GM SPLabel, Side A
ST-12008-GMLabel, Side B
VI-257-EM-RE ② △90984 J PYNES LOVES SYLVIASide A runout, etched
St-12008-EM-RE 2 ② △90985 J PYNES LOVES SYLVIASide B runout, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | London Records HL-10226First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Belgium | London Records 80-5691 YFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Brazil | London Records VI-521First year7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1973 | Canada | Vibration VI-521First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Vibration VI-521First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Vibration VI-521First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Costa Rica | London Records 7029First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Denmark | London Records HLU 10415 / London Records HL 10415First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | France | London Records 84.152First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | London Records DL 20 954First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Italy | London Records HL 10415First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Jamaica | London Records VI-521First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Mexico | London Records 45/10195First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | New Zealand | London Records NZL 1065First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Peru | London Records 01.05.54First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | London Records HL-102267", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Australia | London Records HL-102267", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | ABC Records 1022-26737", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| ? | US | Goldies 45 D-26737", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
48 vinyl pressings of Pillow Talk / My Thing are listed here, from 22 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Ireland, South Africa and more. One of them is Vibration VI-521, released February 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VI-521, VI-521-B, D-2673, HLU 10415) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VI-521-GM and [SRC logo] (stamped, sideways, backwards) ST-12008 GM- RE-2(scribed) STERLING(stamped). 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.
