Vinyl pressings
by Tom Clay · 1971
What The World Needs Now Is Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 9 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.
ARP P-4261-60460-1B-MW-5002FSide A Runout
ARP P-4261-60468-2B-MW-5002FSide B Runout
MONO P-4261-60460-1BSide A Label
MONO P-4261-60468-2BSide B Label
P-4261-60460-1B-MW-5002F TVC ☮Runout A
P-4261-60468-2B-MW-5002F TVC ☮Runout B
P-4261-60460-1BLabel A
P-4261-60468-2BLabel B
P-4261-60460-1BA-side label
P-4261-60468-2BB-side label
P-4261-60460- ̶1̶B̶-MW-5002F A-1A SSSSSDeadwax A
P-4261-60468-2B-MW-5002F-1B S1Deadwax B
ARP P-4261-60460-1B-MW-5002FEtched - side A
ARP P-4261-60468-2B-MW-5002FEtched - side A
P-4261-60460-1BLabel - side A
P-4261-60468-2BLabel - side B
P-4261-60460-1BA-side label
P-4261-60468-2BB-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-9590First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-9590First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Canada | Tamla Motown MW 5002 FFirst year7", Single, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 006-92 747 / Tamla Motown 5C 006-92747First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown TMM 813First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Portugal | Motown TMATS 5003First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | Spain | Tamla Motown M-5115First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 801First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 801First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Single | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Single |
| 1971 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 801First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1971 | US | MoWest MW 5002 FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | MoWest MW 5002F AFirst year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | MoWest MW5002FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | MoWest MW5002FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | MoWest MW5002FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
26 vinyl pressings of What The World Needs Now Is Love are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1971 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MoWest MW5002F, released June 22, 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MW5002F, MW 5002 F, MW 5002F, MW 5002F A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARP P-4261-60460-1B-MW-5002F and ARP P-4261-60468-2B-MW-5002F. 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.
