Vinyl pressings
by The Miracles · 1976
Night Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. 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 1976, the album's first year, in 3 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.
T52468F-63451-S-06A (MR) -∆99233Side A Runout
T54368F-63448-S-06B (MR) - ∆99234Side B Runout
63461-SSide A Label
63448-SSide B Label
T54268F-63451-M-06A (MR) ∆99232Side A Runout
T54268F-63451-S-06A (MR) ∆99232Side B Runout
63451-MSide A Label
63451-SSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-11162First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Canada | Motown T 54268FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Canada | Tamla T 54268FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Canada | Motown T 54268FFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | US | Tamla T 54268FFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | US | Tamla T 54268 FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Tamla T 54268 FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Tamla T 54268FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1976 | US | Tamla T 54268FFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-11162First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of Night Life are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Australia, Canada. One of them is Tamla T 54268 F, released April 15, 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T 54268 F, T 54268F, TMO-11162) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T52468F-63451-S-06A (MR) -∆99233 and T54368F-63448-S-06B (MR) - ∆99234. 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.
