Germany
1969- Label and catalog number
- Polydor 59 317
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono
- Runout / matrix
1 ℗ 1969 G9 *Z S 00 059317 ≠ 2 S1A-side runout area
1 ℗ 1969 G9 *Z 00 059317 S2 AGB-side runout area
Vinyl pressings
I'm Free
by The Who · 1969
20 pressings13 countriesPop RockRock
I'm Free was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. 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 I'm Free
18 pressings came out in 1969, 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.
Germany
1969- Label and catalog number
- Polydor 59 317
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono
- Runout / matrix
1 ℗ 1969 G9 *Z 0 00 059317 =̶̷2̶̷ S1Runout side A, variant 1
1 ℗ 1969 G9 *Z A D 00 059317 S2Runout side B, variant 1
1 ℗ 1969 G9 ✳Z 00 059317 =̶̷2̶̷ S1 FRunout side A, variant 2
1 ℗ 1969 G9 ✳Z B 00 059317 S2Runout side B, variant 2
US
July 5, 1969- Label and catalog number
- Decca 732519
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Gloversville Pressing
- Runout / matrix
7 121465 4 1Side A runout stamped
7 121468 6 1Side B runout stamped
7-121,465Side A label
7-121,468Side B label
US
July 5, 1969- Label and catalog number
- Decca 732519
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Pinckneyville Pressing
- Runout / matrix
7 121465 12 2Var. 1: Side A runout
7 121468 11 2Var. 1: Side B runout
7 121465 7 2Var. 2: Side A runout
7 121468 10 2Var. 2: Side B runout
UK
1969- Label and catalog number
- Track Record PRO 3
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Promo
US
1969- Label and catalog number
- Decca 732519
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
7 121465 6 IA-Side Runout
7 121468 5 IB-Side Runout
7-121,465A-Side Label
7-121,468B-Side Label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 20 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s18 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Austria | Polydor 59 317First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Brazil | Polydor FC 126.015First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Canada | Decca 732519First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | France | Polydor 421 473 / Polydor 421473First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | France | Polydor 421 473 / Polydor 421473First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1969 | Germany | Polydor 59 317First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Germany | Polydor 59 317First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Italy | Polydor 59 317 / Polydor NH 59 317First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Mexico | Polydor EPO-1639First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Polydor 425222First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Norway | Polydor 59 317First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Norway | Polydor 59 317First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Portugal | Polydor 78 007First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1969 | Singapore | Polydor 59317First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | UK | Track Record PRO 3First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
1970s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Portugal | Polydor 2058 3367", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Germany | Polydor 421 4737", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
Tracklist
- AI'm Free2:40
- BTommy Can You Hear Me?1:35
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of I'm Free are there?
20 vinyl pressings of I'm Free are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1969 and 1975.
When was I'm Free first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in Germany, US, UK, Austria and more. One of them is Polydor 59 317.
How do I tell if my copy of I'm Free is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 59 317, 732519, PRO 3, FC 126.015) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1 ℗ 1969 G9 *Z S 00 059317 ≠ 2 S1 and 1 ℗ 1969 G9 *Z 00 059317 S2 AG. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is I'm Free 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.
