Vinyl pressings
by The Tokens · 1961
The Lion Sleeps Tonight was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1961, the album's first year, in 8 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.
M5 PW3237--1S A R RRunout Side A, Variant 1
M5 PW3253--1S A 2 R RRunout Side B, Variant 1
M5 PW3237--1S A1 R RRunout Side A, Variant 2
M5 PW3253--1S A1 R RRunout Side B, Variant 2
M5 PW3237-- 4 S IIRunout side A, stamped
M5 PW3253-- 4 S IIRunout side B, stamped
M5PW-3237Label side A
M5PW-3253Label side B
M5 PW3237-5S ɪ A1Side A runout stamped, variant 1
M5 PW3253-5S ɪ A1Side B runout stamped, variant 1
M5 PW3237-5S ɪ A1Side A runout stamped, variant 2
M5 PW3253-5S ɪ A2Side B runout stamped, variant 2
M5PI-3264Label - Side A
M5PI-3265Label - Side B
M5 PW3237--4S HA side runout
M5 PW3253--4S HB side runout
M5PW-3237A side label
M5PW-3253B side label
M5PW-3237-1CSide A, Stamped
M5PW-3253-1CSide B, Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Australia | RCA 101176First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1961 | Australia | RCA 101176First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1961 | Australia | RCA 101176First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1961 | Canada | RCA Victor 47-7954First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | Japan | Victor SS-1282First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | New Zealand | RCA 4/60271First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1961 | Rhodesia | RCA Victor 41 385First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1961 | South Africa | RCA Victor 41.385First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | UK | RCA 45-RCA 1263First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | UK | RCA 45-RCA 1263First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor 47-7954First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor 47-7954First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor 47-7954First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor 37-7954First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor 47-7954First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Trinidad & Tobago | RCA 47-79547", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Uruguay | RCA Victor 31A - 00427" | 7" |
23 vinyl pressings of The Lion Sleeps Tonight are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1961 and 1967.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is RCA Victor 47-7954.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 47-7954, 37-7954, 45-RCA 1263, 101176) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M5 PW3237--1S A R R and M5 PW3253--1S A 2 R R. 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.
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1970 · 19 pressings
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
1961 · 17 pressings
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1969 · 14 pressings
It's A Happening World
1967 · 13 pressings
B'wa Nina (Pretty Girl)
1962 · 13 pressings
I Hear Trumpets Blow / Don't Cry, Sing Along With The Music
1966 · 11 pressings
