Vinyl pressings
by Townes Van Zandt · 1968
For The Sake Of The Song 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.
4 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year. 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.
PYS-40001 SIDE-1 MGS-1562-1A RE-1 [Block S]Side A runout, variant 1
PYS 40001 SIDe 2 MGS 1563 1A Ro-1 [Block S]Side B runout, variant 1
PYS-40001 SIDE-1 MGS-1562-1A RE-1 12 [Block S]Side A runout, variant 2
PYS 40001 SIDe 2 MGS 1563 1A Ro-1 11 [Block S]Side B runout, variant 2
PY40001 MG 1562 XTBV131633-1BSide A
PY40001 MG 1563 XTBV 131634-1B
PYS 40001 MGS 1562 XSBV131635-1BRunout, side A
PYE 40001 MGS 1563 XSBV131636-1BRunout, side B
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 | US | Poppy PY-40,001 / Poppy PYS-40,001First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1968 | US | Poppy PYS-40,001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Poppy PYS-40,001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Poppy PYS-40,001First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | US | Fat Possum Records FP1087-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2014 | UK | Charly Records CHARLY L 139LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2018 | US | Fat Possum Records FP1087-3LP, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2018 | US | Fat Possum Records FP1087-3LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Club edition, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Club edition, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | US | Fat Possum Records FP1087-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2022 | US | Fat Possum Records FP1087-5LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | US | Fat Possum Records FP1087-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| 2025 | Worldwide | Poppy CHPYS40001LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
12 vinyl pressings of For The Sake Of The Song are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1968 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US. One of them is Poppy PYS-40,001, released August 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PYS-40,001, PY-40,001) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PYS-40001 SIDE-1 MGS-1562-1A RE-1 [Block S] and PYS 40001 SIDe 2 MGS 1563 1A Ro-1 [Block 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.
