US
March 1968- Label and catalog number
- Elektra EK-45628
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Monarch pressing
- Runout / matrix
EK-628-A MR Δ69932Runout side A
EK-628-B MR Δ69932-XRunout side B
EK-45628-AA Side Label
EK-45628-BB Side Label
The DoorsThe Unknown Soldier / We Could Be So Good Together
Vinyl pressings
The Unknown Soldier / We Could Be So Good Together
by The Doors · 1968
24 pressings12 countriesClassic RockRock
The Unknown Soldier was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of The Unknown Soldier
19 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 11 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.
US
1968- Label and catalog number
- Elektra EK-45628
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Specialty Pressing
- Runout / matrix
EK-45628-A-SP 2 VVRunout side A
EK-45628-B-SP 1 VV Audio Matrix SRCRunout side B
US
1968- Label and catalog number
- Elektra EK-45628
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Terre Haute Pressing
- Runout / matrix
EK 45628 A CTH-1 TIA side runout - scribed, variant 1
EK 45628 B CTH-1 TIIB side runout - scribed, variant 1
EK 45628 A CTH TIIA side runout - scribed, variant 2
EK 45628 B CTH-1 TIIB side runout - scribed, variant 2
US
March 1968- Label and catalog number
- Elektra EK-45628
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Mono · Monarch Pressing
- Runout / matrix
EK-628-A MR Δ69932Etched, Runout Side A
EK-628-B MR Δ69932-XEtched, Runout Side B
EK-45628-AA Side Label
EK-45628-BA Side Label
US
1968- Label and catalog number
- Elektra EK-45628
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Specialty Pressing
UK
June 1968- Label and catalog number
- Elektra EKSN 45030
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 24 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s21 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Australia | Astor AP-1475First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Canada | Elektra EK 45628First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | France | Disques Vogue INT. 80 128 / Disques Vogue INT. 80128First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Germany | Metronome J 774First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Italy | Vedette Records VRN 34086First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Japan | Elektra JET-1841First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Philippines | Elektra EK-113First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Sweden | Metronome J 45-774First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Sweden | Metronome J45-774First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Elektra EK-45628First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | US | Elektra EK-45628First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1968 | US | Elektra EK-45628First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Sweden | Metronome J45-774First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Elektra EK-45628First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | US | Elektra EK-45628First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Mono · Promo, Mono |
1970s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | UK | Elektra K 120047", Repress, Mono · Mono | 7", Repress, Mono · Mono |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Elektra JET-18417", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Thailand | Capitol Records7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
Tracklist
- AThe Unknown Soldier2:51
- BWe Could Be So Good Together2:25
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Unknown Soldier are there?
24 vinyl pressings of The Unknown Soldier are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1968 and 1971.
When was The Unknown Soldier first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Sweden, Netherlands and more. One of them is Elektra EK-45628, released March 1968.
How do I tell if my copy of The Unknown Soldier is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EK-45628, EKSN 45030, J45-774, EK 45.628) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EK-628-A MR Δ69932 and EK-628-B MR Δ69932-X. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Unknown Soldier on vinyl worth?
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.
