Vinyl pressings
by Vicki Lawrence · 1972
The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 5 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.
Bestway BELL1549Run-out area side A [hand-etched]
BELL1550Run-out area side B [hand-etched]
1549-BWLabel side A
1550-BWLabel side B
BESTWAY BELL1549Etched Side A, except "BESTWAY" stamped
BELL1550Etched Side B
1549-BWA-side label
1550-BWB-side label
BELL1549Side A Runout, Etched
BELL1550Side B Runout, Etched
1549-BWSide A Label
1550-BWSide B Label
BELL 1549Side A Runout, Etched
BELL 1550Side B Runout, Etched
1549-BWSide A Label
1550-BWSide B Label
Bell 1549-1 11-1Runout, side A, etched, variant 1
BELL 1650 - BELL - 1550-2-11-1Runout, side B, etched, variant 1
Bell 1549-2 1 P.RRunout, side A, etched, variant 2
BELL 1550-1-1-1 P.R DRunout, side B, etched, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Stateside OSS-10113First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Australia | Stateside OSS-10113First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Barbados | Stateside SS 2210First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Canada | Bell Records Bell 45303XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Bell Records Bell GT 126 XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Japan | Bell Records BLPB-211First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | Bell Records 45,303First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | Bell Records 45,303First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Bell Records 45,303First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1972 | US | Bell Records 45,303First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1972 | US | Bell Records 45,303First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Bell Records 45,303First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1972 | US | Bell Records 45,303First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | Bell Records 45,303First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | Denmark | Stateside 6C 006-94296 / EMI 6C 006-942967", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
28 vinyl pressings of The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Australia, Barbados, Canada and more. One of them is Bell Records 45,303, released December 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45,303, OSS-10113, SS 2210, Bell 45303X) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Bestway BELL1549 and BELL1550. 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.
