Vinyl pressings
by The Velvets · 1961
Tonight (Could Be The Night) 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.
18 pressings came out in 1961, the album's first year, in 12 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.
MO 639-1C .A-side runout, etched, variant 1
MO 638-1A .B-side runout, etched, variant 1
MO 639-1A ..A-side runout, etched, variant 2
MO 638-1C .B-side runout, etched, variant 2
MO 639-1C .A-side runout, etched
MO 638-1B .B-side runout, etched
MO 639A-side label
MO 638B-side label
MO 639-1 TSide A Runout
MO 638-1 TSide B Runout
MO 639Side A Label
MO 638Side B Label
MO-639- HHHHHRunout A
MO-638 HHHHRunout B
MO 639Label A
MO 638Label B
45-MSCL-5324-1C BHRunout side A
45-MSCL-5325-1C IHRunout side B
MSCL.5324Label side A
MSCL.5325Label side B
45-MO638 7XLON1453A
45-MO639 7XLON1452B
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 | London Records HL-1834First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | Belgium | London Records 9.5.274First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1961 | Canada | Monument MN. 441First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | Denmark | London Records 45-HL 9372First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | France | London Records HLU 80.016First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1961 | Germany | London Records DL 20 424First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1961 | Greece | London Records 45-GL 7029First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | Greece | London Records 45-GL 7029First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl |
| 1961 | Italy | London Records 45 - HL 9372First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | Japan | London Records HIT-289 / London American Recordings HIT-289First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | Japan | Monument US-288-MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | Japan | London Records LED-213First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | New Zealand | London American Recordings NZL-U 645First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | UK | London American Recordings 45-HLU 9372First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1961 | US | Monument 45-441First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
20 vinyl pressings of Tonight (Could Be The Night) are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1961 and 1966.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Monument 45-441, released May 1961.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-441, 45-441-V, 45-HLU 9372, HL-1834) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MO 639-1C . and MO 638-1A .. 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.
