Vinyl pressings
by The Who · 1968
Call Me Lightning was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. 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 1968, the album's first year, in 13 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 119977 28 2Variant 1, runout side A
45 119978 8 2Variant 1, runout side B
45 119977 24 2Variant 2, runout side A
45 119978 13 2Variant 2, runout side B
45 119977 16Runout [stamped] side A
45 119978 1Runout [stamped] side B
119,977Label side A
119,978 ✤Label side B
45 119977 21Runout [stamped] side A
45 119978 2Runout [stamped] side B
119,977Label side A
119,978 ✤Label side B
45 119977 19 1A runout
45 119978 2 1B runout
119,977Label side A
119,978 ✤Label side B
32288-ASide A label
32288-BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Argentina | Polydor 25215First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Australia | International Polydor Production NH-59142First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Austria | Polydor 59 198First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Canada | Decca 32288First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | France | Polydor 421 186First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Germany | Polydor 59 198First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Germany | Polydor 59 198First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Greece | International Polydor Production 256First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Italy | Polydor 59 198First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1968 | Japan | Polydor DP-1589First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Japan | Polydor DP-1589First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Polydor 59189First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Scandinavia | Polydor 59 198First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1968 | Spain | Polydor 60027First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Decca 32288First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
18 vinyl pressings of Call Me Lightning are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Argentina, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Decca 32288.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 32288, 25215, NH-59142, 59 198) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45 119977 28 2 and 45 119978 8 2. 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.
