Vinyl pressings
by The Guess Who · 1971
Rain Dance was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 13 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.
APKS-4948-5 S ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KVariant 1 Side A runout, stamped (⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K etched)
APKS-493̶1-5 S 4 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KVariant 1 Side B runout, stamped (⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K etched)
APKS-4948-6 S ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KVariant 2 Side A runout, stamped (⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K etched)
APKS-493̶1-5 S 4 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KVariant 2 Side B runout, stamped (⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K and 4 etched)
APKS-4948-30S ᴵ⁻ᴵ ᴘʀRun-out Side A, stamped (ᴵ⁻ᴵ,ᴘʀ etched)
APKS-4941-33S-1-1 ᴘʀRun-out Side B, stamped (-1-1,ᴘʀ etched)
APKS-4948-3 S-A2O R ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KA runout - Variant 1
APKS-4941-3 S-A2G R ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KB runout - Variant 1
APKS-4948-3 S-A3B R ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KA runout - Variant 2
APKS-4941-3 S-A3A R ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KB runout - Variant 2
APKS-4948-32S TIIA runout - Var. 1
APKS-4941-32S TIIB runout - Var. 1
T I APKS-4948-31S TIA runout - Var. 2
T I APKS-4941-31S TIB runout - Var. 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Argentina | RCA Victor 31A-1968First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Australia | RCA Victor 74-0522First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Brazil | RCA Victor LC-16266First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Canada | Nimbus 74-0522First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Canada | Nimbus 74-0522First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-0522First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Germany | RCA 74-0522First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Israel | RCA Victor 74-0522First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Italy | RCA Victor 74-0552First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Netherlands | RCA Victor 74-0522First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 74-0522First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Philippines | RCA Victor 74-0522First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | South Africa | RCA Victor 42-260First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | US | RCA Victor 74-0522First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | US | RCA Victor 74-0522First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
22 vinyl pressings of Rain Dance are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1971 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in Canada, US, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Nimbus 74-0522.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 74-0522, 31A-1968, LC-16266, 74-0552) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, APKS-4948-5 S ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K and APKS-493̶1-5 S 4 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K. 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.
