Vinyl pressings
by The Spencer Davis Group · 1966
Somebody Help Me was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year, in 15 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.
267561 1F//1 420Side A, variant 1
267561 2F//1 420Side B, variant 1
267561 1F//2 420Side A, variant 2
267561 2F//2 420Side B, variant 2
267 561 1F//2 420 1 1 2 2Stamped runout - side A
267 561 2F//2 420 1 6Stamped runout - side B
267 561 1FLabel matrix - side A
267 561 2FLabel matrix - side B
267561 1F//2 420A Side, Stamped
267561 2F//2 420B Side, Stamped
267 561 1FSide A, label
267 561 2FSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Belgium | Fontana 267 561 TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Belgium | Fontana 267 561 TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Canada | Stone Records SX700First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1966 | Canada | ATCO Records 6416First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1966 | Denmark | Fontana 267 561 TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | France | Fontana 267.584 MFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Germany | Fontana 267 561 TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Germany & Switzerland | Fontana 267 561 TF7", 45 RPM, Single, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition |
| 1966 | Ireland | Fontana ETF. 679 / Fontana 267 561. TFFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Italy | Fontana 267 561 TF / Fontana 267561 TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Netherlands | Fontana 267 561 TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | New Zealand | Fontana TF267561First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Norway | Sonet T 9518First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1966 | Norway | Sonet T 9518First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1966 | Rhodesia | Fontana TF 746First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
25 vinyl pressings of Somebody Help Me are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1966 and 1967.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in UK, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Fontana TF 679, released March 18, 1966.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TF 679, 45-6416, FK-1306, 267 561 TF) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 267561 1F//1 420 and 267561 2F//1 420. 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.
