Vinyl pressings
by The Alan Parsons Project · 1980
Games People Play was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 5 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.
STERLING P AS-0573-SA-CP1 pA-Side Runout Etching
STERLING P AS 0573 SB-CP1 pB-Side Runout Etching
AS 0573-SAA-Side Label
AS 0573-SBB-Side Label
STERLING IT AS 0573-SA-CT3Side A runout - variant 1
STERLING IT AS 0573-SB-T4Side B runout - variant 1
STERLING IT AS 0573-SA-CT3Side A etched Sterling stamped - variant 2
STERLING AS0573-SB-CT2 T111Side B etched Sterling stamped - variant 2
STERLING AS0573-SA-CS2Side A Runout
STERLING AS0573-MVA scratched out with three lines SB-CS2Side B Runout
AS0573-SASide A Label
AS0573-SBSide B Label
AS 0573-MA-CT 1 ᵀᴵ sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢRun-out A mono, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped)
AS 0573-sA-CT 2 ᵀᴵ sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢRun-out B mono, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped)
AS 0573-MALabel A (mono)
AS 0573-SALabel B (stereo)
AS0.573.A. TLC-T OC.A side etched runout
AS0.573.B. TLC-T OC.B side etched runout
ASO573-SAA side label
ASO573-SBB side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Brazil | Arista 1003First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista ASO 573First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista ASO 573First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista ASO 573First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Jamaica | Arista ASO 0573First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Philippines | Arista AR-45-033First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | Arista AS 0573First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | Arista AS 0573First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Arista AS 0573First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1980 | US | Arista AS0573First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | Arista AS 0573First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1981 | Australia | Arista K-81777", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Arista 102 769 / Arista 102 769-1007", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | Arista 600 332-213 / Arista 600 33212", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Mexico | Arista 102.786 / Arista S-5347", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
17 vinyl pressings of Games People Play are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Canada, Jamaica, Philippines and more. One of them is Arista AS 0573.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AS 0573, AS0573, ASO 573, ASO 0573) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STERLING P AS-0573-SA-CP1 p and STERLING P AS 0573 SB-CP1 p. 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.
