Vinyl pressings
by The Righteous Brothers · 1965
Unchained Melody was first pressed on vinyl in 1965. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
40 pressings came out in 1965, the album's first year, in 16 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.
Philles 129-B ☆Side A runout, variant 1
Phillies 129-7 ☆Side B runout, variant 1
Philles 129-B ☆ AudioMatrixSide A runout, variant 2
Phillies 129-7 ☆ AudioMatrixSide B runout, variant 2
Philles 129-BSide A Runout, Etched
Phillies 129-7Side B Runout, Etched
129-BSide A Label
129-7Side B Label
Philles 129 CSide A (Etched)
Phillies 129-2XSide B (Etched)
PHILLES 129-B (MR) △ ̶5̶7̶6̶6̶ 57699-X Bell SoundSide A runout
PHILLES 129-7 (MR) △57700 Bell SoundSide B runout
129-BSide A label
129-7Side B label
Philles 129-B ☆Side A, Etched, (☆) Stamped, variant 1
Phillies 129-7 ☆Side B, Etched, (☆) Stamped, variant 1
Philles 129-B ☆ Audio MatrixSide A, Etched, (☆) Stamped, variant 2
Phillies 129-7 ☆ Audio MatrixSide B, Etched, (☆) Stamped, variant 2
Philles 129-C AudioMatrixSide A runout, variant 1
Phillies-129 2 AudioMatrixSide B runout, variant 1
Philles 129-B AudioMatrixSide A runout, variant 2
Phillies-129-7 MM AudioMatrixSide B runout, variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Australia | Festival Records FK-1050First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1965 | Belgium | Ronnex Records R 1362First year7" | 7" |
| 1965 | Belgium | Ronnex Records R 1.362 / Ronnex Records 1362First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Belgium | Ronnex Records R 1362First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Belgium | Ronnex Records R 1.362First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Belgium | Ronnex Records R 1.362First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | Canada | Philles Records PH. 129First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1965 | Canada | Philles Records PH. 129First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Denmark | Sonet T-7639First year7", Single · Colored vinyl | 7", Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1965 | Germany | Metronome M 810First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1965 | Germany | Metronome M 810First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1965 | Germany | Metronome M 810First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1965 | Ireland | London Records HL 9975 / London American Recordings HL 9975First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Jamaica | London Records HL. 9975First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Japan | Seven Seas HIT-1268First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Germany | Metronome M 8107", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1973 | Canada | MGM Records MGC 50277", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Metronome M 8107", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Metronome M 8107", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Philippines | Polydor PRO-3847 / Polydor 871 882-77", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | Scandinavia | Sonet T-76397", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | London Records HL 9975 / London American Recordings HL 99757", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | US | MGM Records MVG 541 / MGM Records 2006 2707", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Verve Forecast 871 882-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Verve Records VK-1397", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | US | Polydor MVG 5417", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Verve Records VK-1397", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Polydor MVG 5417", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene |
| ? | US | Verve Records VK-1397", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
56 vinyl pressings of Unchained Melody are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1965 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Philles Records 129.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 129, HL 9975, HL.9975, FK-1050) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Philles 129-B ☆ and Phillies 129-7 ☆. 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.
The Righteous Brothers Greatest Hits
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You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
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You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
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You've Lost That Loving Feeling / Unchained Melody
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Just Once In My Life
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Soul & Inspiration
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