US
1972- Label and catalog number
- Gordy G 7121F
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
61517A Side Label
61518B Side Label
Vinyl pressings
Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
by The Temptations · 1972
60 pressings25 countriesSoulFunk / Soul
Papa Was A Rollin' Stone was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
39 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 19 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.
US
1972- Label and catalog number
- Gordy G 7121F
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · ARP
- Runout / matrix
G7121F-61517-MONO ARPRunout Side A, etched
G7121F-61518-MONO ARPRunout Side B, etched
61517Label Side A
61518Label Side B
US
1972- Label and catalog number
- Gordy G 7121F
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM
- Runout / matrix
G7121F-61517 MONOA Side
G7121f-61518 MONOB Side
US
1972- Label and catalog number
- Gordy G-7121F
- Format
- 7", Single, Styrene, Mono
- Runout / matrix
G7121F-61517 MONORunout side A
G7121F-61518 MONORunout side B
61517Label side A
61518Label side B
US
1972- Label and catalog number
- Gordy G 7121F
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
61517A Side Label
61518B Side Label
US
1972- Label and catalog number
- Gordy G 7121F
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Santa Maria Pressing
- Runout / matrix
G-7121F-61517-A-DJ RE-1 1B VOCAL SSSSSSide A, etched
G-7121F-61518-B-DJ RE-1 1A INSTRU SSSSSSide B, etched
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 60 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s48 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Angola | Tamla Motown TMS 391First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-10033First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single |
| 1972 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-10033First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Brazil | Gordy CS 813First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Brazil | Tapecar CS 813First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Tamla Motown G 7121FFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | France | Tamla Motown 2C 006-93908 / Tamla Motown 2C 006-93.908First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1C 006-93971First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Greece | Tamla Motown GTM 177First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Italy | Tamla Motown TSM-NP 64141 / Tamla Motown TSM NP 64141First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Italy | Tamla Motown TSM-NP 64141 / Tamla Motown TSM NP 64141First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Jamaica | Tamla Motown G 7121FFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Japan | Motown MOT-1145 / Motown JET-2158First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Japan | Motown JET-2158 / Motown MOT-1145First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | Mexico | Tamla Motown 7247First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
1980s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Germany | Motown 1C 052-62 330 YZ / EMI Electrola 1C 052-62 330 YZ12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Spain | Motown 1-10.1857", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Mexico | Motown TM - 1812", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl |
2000s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | US | Not On Label GS 0001Single Sided, White Label, 12", Promo · Promo | Single Sided, White Label, 12", Promo · Promo |
2010s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | UK | Not On Label (The Temptations) WAS112", Single Sided, White Label, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", Single Sided, White Label, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
Year unknown7 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Motown G3390110", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 10", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | Japan | Motown VIP-20247", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 006-939087", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Panama | Gordy G-71217", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Portugal | Tamla Motown TMATS 50157", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Portugal | Tamla Motown TMATS 5 0157" | 7" |
| ? | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 8397", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
Tracklist
- APapa Was A Rollin' Stone (Vocal)6:58
- BPapa Was A Rollin' Stone (Instrumental)4:49
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Papa Was A Rollin' Stone are there?
60 vinyl pressings of Papa Was A Rollin' Stone are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1972 and 2012.
When was Papa Was A Rollin' Stone first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Angola and more. One of them is Gordy G 7121F.
How do I tell if my copy of Papa Was A Rollin' Stone is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use G 7121F, G-7121F, TMG 839, TMO-10033) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 61517 and 61518. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Papa Was A Rollin' Stone on vinyl worth?
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.
