Vinyl pressings
by Tony Bennett · 1969
I've Gotta Be Me 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.
6 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 4 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.
XSM 150323 -1D -3 A2Side A runout, etched, variant 1
XSM 150234 -1B A7 SSide B runout, etched, variant 1
S 2 XSM 150323 -1D A4Side A runout, etched, variant 2
XSM 150324 -1D A2 SSide B runout, etched, variant 2
XSM 150323A Side Label
XSM 150324B Side Label
º T 2 XSM 150323-1A A1A Side Etch exc º, A stamp
º T 2 XSM 150324-1A A5B Side Etch exc º stamp
XSM150323-1D P D3 oSide A runout, var. 1
XSM 150324-1C C3 PSide B runout, var. 1
XSM 150323 -/C. P 5Side A runout, var. 2
o XSM 150324 -/C. P A0Side B runout, var. 2
SBPG 63685 A1Runout side A
SBPG 63685 B1Runout side B
XSM 150323 -1C. C oSide A runout
XSM 150324 -1C. oSide B runout
XSM 150323Side A label
XSM 150324Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Canada | Columbia CS 9882First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | South Africa | CBS ASF 1454First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | CBS S 63685First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Columbia CS 9882First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Columbia CS 9882First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Columbia CS 9882First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | CBS SBP 233726LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | CBS/Sony SONX 60095LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | New Zealand | CBS SBP 473692LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Limited Edition LE 10008LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Limited Edition LE 10008LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Limited Edition LE 10008LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of I've Gotta Be Me are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Canada, South Africa. One of them is Columbia CS 9882.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CS 9882, S 63685, ASF 1454) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSM 150323 -1D -3 A2 and XSM 150234 -1B A7 S. 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.
