Vinyl pressings
by The Searchers · 1964
What Have They Done To The Rain was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1964, the album's first year, in 9 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.
45.XX.1739A -1T (AAY 2 etched)A side runout variant 1
45.XX.1739B -1T (A 3 etched)B side runout variant 1
45.XX.1739-ALabel side A
45.XX.1739-BLabel side B
45XX1739A-1T 2 KT IRunout side A (stamped/etched)
45XX1739B-1T 2 KT JRunout side B (stamped/etched)
45XX1739A-1T 2 KT AAPRunout, Side A
45XX1739B-1T 2 KT AAⅠRunout, Side B
45.XX.1739-ALabel, Side A
45.XX.1739-BLabel, Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Australia | Astor AP-1087First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Canada | Pye Records PYE 768 / Pye Records 7N. 15739First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Denmark | Pye Records 7 N 15739 / Pye Records 7N 15739First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Israel | Top Hits TO-4569 / Top Hits 4569First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Netherlands | Pye Records 7 N 15739First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1964 | New Zealand | Pye Records 7N-15739First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | New Zealand | Pye Records 7N-15739First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Norway | Pye Records 7N 15739First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Sweden | Pye Records 7N 15739First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1964 | Sweden | Pye Records 7N 15739First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Sweden | Pye Records 7N 15739First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | UK | Pye Records 7N.15739First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | UK | Pye Records 7N.15739First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | UK | Pye Records 7N.15739First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1964 | UK | Pye Records 7N.15739First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Africa | Pye Records PY 197", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Kapp Records K-6447", Single, Reissue, Styrene | 7", Single, Reissue, Styrene |
27 vinyl pressings of What Have They Done To The Rain are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1964 and 1965.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark and more. One of them is Pye Records 7N.15739.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7N.15739, 7N15739, AP-1087, PYE 768) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45.XX.1739A -1T (AAY 2 etched) and 45.XX.1739B -1T (A 3 etched). 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.
