Vinyl pressings
by Tony Christie · 1974
Happy Birthday Baby was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 8 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.
MCA 157 A-2 G 1Side A stamped runout [Variant 1]
MCA 157 B-1 G 1Side B stamped runout [Variant 1]
MCA 157 A-2 M 1Side A stamped runout [Variant 2]
MCA 157 B-1 A 1Side B stamped runout [Variant 2]
MC 3621-W2
MC-3621M-W2 MONO MC 3621M-W2
MCA-1416-ASide A runout, etched
MCA-1416-BSide B runout, etched
4C006 95932 A/1Side A runout
4C006 95932 B/1Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | MCA Records MCA-1416First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Belgium | MCA Records 4 C 006-95932 / MCA Records 4C006-95932First year7" | 7" |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-40305First year7" | 7" |
| 1974 | Germany | MCA Records 6.11535First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Germany | MCA Records 6.11535 / MCA Records MCS 7654First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | MCA Records 6.11535First year7", Single, Misprint, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Misprint, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | MCA Records MCS 7564First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Portugal | MCA Records SP-20.161First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | MCA Records MCA 157First year7" | 7" |
| 1974 | US | MCA Records MCA-40305First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | UK | MCA Records MCA 157First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Argentina | MCA Records 11747", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA-403057" | 7" |
13 vinyl pressings of Happy Birthday Baby are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA 157, released September 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA 157, MCA-40305, MCA-1416, 4 C 006-95932) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 157 A-2 G 1 and MCA 157 B-1 G 1. 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.
