Vinyl pressings
by Teddy Pendergrass · 1977
The Whole Town's Laughing At Me 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.
10 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 6 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.
AE-ZS8-3633-3 F/W∆M SISide A Runout
AE-ZS8-3633-4 F/W∆M SISide B Runout
AA-AF ZS8 3633-3Side A Label
AA-AF ZS8 3633-4Side B Label
AD-ZS8-3633-3 F/W∆M TSide A Runout
AC-ZS8-3633-4 F/W∆M TII TSide B Runout
AA-AF ZS8 3633-3Side A Label
AA-AF ZS8 3633-4Side B Label
p AB-ZS8-3633-3 F/W∆M ASide A Runout
p AA-ZS8-3633-4 F/W∆MSide B Runout
ZS8 3633-3Side A Label
ZS8 3633-4Side B Label
S PIR 5116A*Side A label
S PIR 5116B*Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Philadelphia International Records PS 1013First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | Columbia ZS8 3633 / Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3633First year7" | 7" |
| 1977 | Mexico | Epic SC-71609First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Philadelphia International Records PIR 5116First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3633First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3633First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3633First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3633First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 5116First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 5116First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | UK | Philadelphia International Records PIR A10897", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Philadelphia International Records PIR A12-108912", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Philadelphia International Records PIR A10897", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
13 vinyl pressings of The Whole Town's Laughing At Me are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1977 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3633.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZS8 3633, S PIR 5116, PS 1013, SC-71609) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AE-ZS8-3633-3 F/W∆M SI and AE-ZS8-3633-4 F/W∆M SI. 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.
