Vinyl pressings
by The Dirt Band · 1979
An American Dream / Take Me Back was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 12 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.
UAST-20518-CT2 TML S TISide A etched, exc. [TML S] stamped, variant 1
UAST-20522 CT2 TML X TISide B etched, exc. [TML X] stamped, variant 1
UAST-20518-CT1 TML-X TISide A etched, exc. [TML S] stamped, variant 2
UAST-20522 CT2 TML-M 1 TISide B etched, exc. [TML X] stamped, variant 2
UAST-20518-Z3 #2 TML-M —◁Side A Runout
UAST-20522-Z3 #3 TML S —◁Side B Runout
UAST-20518-ESide A Label
UAST-20522Side B Label
UAST-20518 TML-X R-5054Side A Runout
UAST-20522 TML-M R-5053Side B Runout
UAST-20518-ESide A Label
UAST-20522Side B Label
97282 UAST-20518A-Side Runout
UAST-20522-X 97285B-Side Runout
UAST-20518-EA-Side Label
UAST-20522B-Side Label
UAST-20518• ✲Side A Runout
UAST-20522• ✲Side B Runout
UAST-20518-ELabel
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | United Artists Records UA 192First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Barbados | United Artists Records UA-X1330-YFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Canada | United Artists Records UA-X1330-YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | United Artists Records 1 C 006-82 815 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-82 815First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | United Artists Records 82815 / EMI Electrola 828157", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Netherlands | United Artists Records 1A 006-82815First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | United Artists Records UA 1First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Peru | United Artists Records 01.13.1735First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Philippines | United Artists Records UA-50234First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Portugal | United Artists Records 11 C 00682815First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | South Africa | United Artists Records UAST 15First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | United Artists Records UP 609First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | United Artists Records UP 609First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | United Artists Records UA-X1330-YFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | US | United Artists Records UA-X1330-YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | France | United Artists Records 2C008-828157", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Japan | United Artists Records CM-2707", Stereo | 7", Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | United Artists Records CM-2707", Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | United Artists Records 1A 006-828157", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
23 vinyl pressings of An American Dream / Take Me Back are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Australia, Barbados and more. One of them is United Artists Records UA-X1330-Y.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UA-X1330-Y, UP 609, UA 192, 1 C 006-82 815) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, UAST-20518-CT2 TML S TI and UAST-20522 CT2 TML X TI. 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.
