MGM 2303 029, 1972

Side 1: MGM 2303029 1 380 CIDIS
Side 2: MGM 2303029 2 380 CIDIS

Original French edition. Glossy gatefold with printed banana, catalog number printed on upper right hand corner.

Back cover without Emerson, catalog number and B price code on top right, "SIAT - PARIS distribution exclusive Polydor S.A." on bottom right. SIAT stands for Société Imprimerie Art et Technique S.A., a French printing company.

MGM gold/blue label. Record manufactured by CIDIS in Louviers, France, thin simple ring 30 mm diameter and a second, elevated thick ring with inner diameter of 86 mm (1967-1975).

MGM 2303 029

Side 1: MGM 2303029 1 380 CIDIS
Side 2: MGM 2303029 2 380 CIDIS

Early reissue.

Glossy gatefold with printed banana, catalog number printed on upper right hand corner.

Back cover without Emerson, catalog number and B price code on top right, "SIAT - PARIS distribution exclusive Polydor S.A." on bottom right.

MGM lion black label.

Record manufactured by CIDIS in Louviers, France (thin simple ring 30 mm diameter and a second, elevated thick ring with inner diameter of 86 mm).

MGM 2303 029, post 1975

Side 1: MGM 2303029 1 380 CIDIS
Side 2: MGM 2303029 2 380 CIDIS

Glossy gatefold without catalog number printed inside. Printed banana, catalog number printed on upper right hand corner.

Back cover without Emerson, catalog number and B price code on top right, "SIAT - PARIS distribution exclusive Polydor S.A." on bottom right.

Alternate MGM lion black label. Unique 20 mm diameter pressing ring (post-1975).

MGM 2303 029 POL 340, post 1979

Side 1: MGM 2303029 1 380 CIDIS
Side 2: MGM 2303029 2 380 CIDIS

Gatefold cover with printed banana, catalog number printed on top right.

Back cover without Emerson, with catalog number and POL 340 price code printed on top right, and "SIAT - PARIS distribution exclusive Polydor S.A." printed on bottom right. There are two different cover versions with the same record inside: one with catalog number printed inside the gatefold, the other without.

MGM lion black label.

Polydor 2303 029 POL 340, post 1979

Side 1: MGM 2303029 1 380 CIDIS
Side 2: MGM 2303029 2 380 CIDIS

Gatefold cover with printed banana, catalog number printed on top right and Polydor logo on bottom right.

Backcover with Polydor logo printed on top left, catalog number and POL 340 price code printed on top right, "Imp. POLYGRAM INDUSTRIES MESSAGERIES Imprimé en France" on bottom right and "Diffusé par POLYDOR 2, rue Cavalotti, 75018 Paris" printed at bottom.

Polydor red label.

Polydor 2303 029 POL 311, post 1979

Side 1: 160 MGM 2303029 1 380 CIDIS D
Side 2: 160 MGM 2303029 2 380 CIDIS V

Gatefold, printed banana, catalog number printed on top right and Polydor logo inserted on bottom right.

Backcover with Polydor logo printed on top left, catalog number and POL 311 price code on top right, "Imp. POLYGRAM INDUSTRIES MESSAGERIES Imprimé en France" on bottom right and "Diffusé par POLYDOR 2, rue Cavalotti, 75018 Paris" printed at bottom.

Red Polydor label.

Polydor 2303 029 POL 268, post 1979

Side 1: 160 MGM 2303029 1 380 CIDIS D
Side 2: 160 MGM 2303029 2 380 CIDIS D

Gatefold, printed banana, catalog number printed on top right and Polydor logo inserted on bottom right.

Backcover with Polydor logo printed on top left, catalog number and POL 268 price code on top right, "Imp. POLYGRAM INDUSTRIES MESSAGERIES Imprimé en France" on bottom right and "Diffusé par POLYDOR 2, rue Cavalotti, 75018 Paris" printed at bottom.

Red Polydor label.

Polydor 823 290-1, 1996

Side 1: DFI 96 8 823290A JC
Side 2: DFI 968 823 290 1 B JC

Special limited reissue for French fnac stores.

No gatefold, printed banana, "THE VELVET UNDERGROUND & NICO" printed in upper left hand corner.

Back cover with credits, without Emerson.

Black Polydor label.

Verve 2304 328, 1977

Side 1: VEXV2304328 1 380 CIDIS
Side 2: VEXV2304328 2 380 CIDIS

Glossy black cover without skull, with catalog number on top right. Some copies with "Best anthologie" sticker on front cover.

Backcover with catalog number and Y price code printed on top right. Here She Comes Now, Lou Reed guitar credit, no Warhol credit, "DISTRIBUTION EXCLUSIVE POLYDOR S.A.", "Imp. C.I.D.I.S. Louviers "Made and Printed in France"". Black Verve label.

Also exists as promo copies with "Vente Interdite/Echantillon Gratuit" stamped/engraved in upper left-hand front cover corner.

Verve 2304 328, post-1979

Side 1: VEXV2304328 1 380 CIDIS
Side 2: VEXV2304328 2 380 CIDIS

Glossy black cover without skull, with catalog number on top right.

Backcover with catalog number and POL 340 price code printed on top right (Y price code is blackened). Here She Comes Now, Lou Reed guitar credit, no Warhol credit, "DISTRIBUTION EXCLUSIVE POLYDOR S.A.", "Imp. C.I.D.I.S. Louviers "Made and Printed in France"".

Black Verve label.

Verve 2304 328, post-1979

Side 1: VEXV2304328 1 380 CIDIS
Side 2: VEXV2304328 2 380 CIDIS

Glossy black cover without skull, with catalog number on top right.

Backcover with catalog number and POL 340 price code printed on top right. Here She Comes Now, Lou Reed guitar credit, no Warhol credit, "Fabriqué en France", "Distribué par Polydor 2, rue Cavallotti 75018 PARIS", "Imp. POLYGRAM INDUSTRIES MESSAGERIES | "Imprimé et fabriqué en France".

Black Verve label.

MGM 2315 393, 1978

Side 1: MGM 2315 393 1 380 CIDIS
Side 2: MGM 2315 393 2 380 CIDIS

Grey halation on front cover, with catalog number printed on top right, MGM lion logo on bottom left.

Backcover with catalog number and Y price code on top right, "Distribution exclusive POLYDOR S.A. | Imp. C.I.D.I.S. Louviers | "Made and Printed in France"".

Black MGM label. Mispressed (Beginning To See The Light twice at the beginning of side two!!!). Lou Reed's mix.

Also exists as promo copies with "Vente Interdite/Echantillon Gratuit" stamped/engraved in upper left-hand front cover corner.

MGM 2315 393, post-1979

Side 1: MGM 2315 393 1 380 CIDIS
Side 2: MGM 2315 393 2 380 CIDIS

Grey halation on front cover, with catalog number on top right, MGM lion logo on bottom left.

Backcover with POL 340 price code and catalog number on top right, "Fabriqué en France | Distribué par Polydor 2, rue Cavallotti 75018 PARIS | Imp. POLYGRAM INDUSTRIES MESSAGERIES | "Imprimé et fabriqué en France"".

Black MGM label.

Mispressing, Beginning To See The Light twice at the beginning of side two. Lou Reed's mix.

Cotillion 940 060, 1971

Side 1: COT XXX 940060 A
Side 2: COT XXX 940060 B

Original edition. Glossy cover with Cotillion logo on top left and "940.060" on top right. Back cover with T price code on top right, "Distribution BARCLAY" at bottom, and "Imp. MSP. 808.19.10 - Imprimé en France" at bottom right. Cottilion blue marble label. ATL letters erased with XXX in the matrix.

Cotillion 940 060, 197?

Side 1: ATL XXX XXX 940060 A
Side 2: ATL XXX XXX 940060 B

Early reissue coming in the same cover but record with red/white/purple Atlantic label. Original ATL COT letters erased in the matrix.

midi MID 20049, 1973

Side 1: WEA ST-CTN-702029-B 20049 A
Side 2: WEA ST-CTN-702030-B

Reissue part of WEA's Original Rock Classics series. Redesigned front cover with The Velvet Underground Featuring Lou Reed. This French edition came in the same sleeve as the German issue - back cover with late 1971 line-up photo and liner notes in English. Orange midi label. The French label is different from the German one - different lettering, SACEM mark, and white midi logo (instead of black on the German edition). This is a high-quality heavy vinyl pressing.

Cotillion 30022, 1972

Side 1: ST-CTN-722487A
Side 2: ST-CTN-722488A

Original edition. Glossy cover. C price code, "DISTRIBUTION WEA FILIPACCHI MUSIC", "Imprimerie Graphicolor" on back cover. Marble blue/grey Cotillion label.

Polydor 2480 159, 1973

Side 1: MPO PYR 2480159 A
Side 2: MPO PYR 2480159 B

Original edition.

Glossy cover, catalog number on upper right hand corner. Back cover has catalog number and "U" price code printed on top right.

Red French Polydor label with black & white Polydor logo.

Polydor 2480 159, circa 1974

Side 1: MPO PYR 2480159 A
Side 2: MPO PYR 2480159 B

Glossy cover, catalog number on upper right hand corner. Back cover has catalog number and "B" price code printed on top right.

Red French Polydor label with black & white Polydor logo.

Polydor 2480 159, post-1979

Side 1: MPO PYR 2480159 A
Side 2: MPO PYR 2480159 B

Reissued record in original cover. Same cover as original edition but price code is covered with a small yellow "POL 340" sticker.

Red/black Polydor label.

Same record as the edition listed below.

Polydor 2480 159, post-1979

Side 1: MPO PYR 2480159 A
Side 2: MPO PYR 2480159 B

Reissue. Glossy cover, catalog number on upper right hand corner. Back cover has catalog number and "POL 340" price code printed on top right, and "Imprimé en France"/"Imp. SIAT-PARIS" on bottom right.

Red French Polydor label with black Polydor logo.

Mercury 6643 017, 1974

Side 1: MER 6499895 1 380 CIDIS
Side 2: MER 6499895 2 380 CIDIS
Side 3: MER 6499896 1 380 CIDIS
Side 4: MER 6499896 2 380 CIDIS

Gatefold glossy cover with catalog number stickered on top left.

"VELVET UNDERGROUND LIVE | MERCURY 6499 895" printed on spine.

Backcover with "DISTRIBUTION PHONOGRAM", "2T STEREO 6643 017" stickered on top right, "Made and Printed in France" on bottom left.

Dark grey Mercury label. Record manufactured by CIDIS in Louviers, France, thin simple ring 30 mm diameter and a second, elevated thick ring with inner diameter of 86 mm (1967-1975).

Mercury 6643 017, post 1975

Side 1: MER 6499895 1 380 CIDIS
Side 2: MER 6499895 2 380 CIDIS
Side 3: MER 6499896 1 380 CIDIS
Side 4: MER 6499896 2 380 CIDIS

Gatefold glossy cover with catalog number printed on top left. Green color is a bit lighter.

"VELVET UNDERGROUND LIVE | MERCURY 6643017" printed on spine.

Backcover with "DISTRIBUTION PHONOGRAM", 2T price code and catalog number printed on top right, "Made and Printed in France" on bottom left.

Black Mercury label. Unique 20 mm diameter pressing ring.

Mercury 6643 017, post-1979

Third edition with POL price code.

Verve Polygram 823 721-1, 1985

Side 1: 180 823721 1 // 1 380 POLYGRAM
Side 2: 180 823721 1 // 2 380 POLYGRAM

Front cover with Verve logo printed at bottom right and catalog number on top right. Backcover with barcode, POL 365 and cassette catalog number on top right; "Diffusé par POLYDOR", "2, rue Cavallotti, 75018 Paris" on bottom left, "Imp. POLYGRAM Imprimé en France" on bottom right. "Kurt Loder liner" inner sleeve. Black Verve label.

Verve Polygram 823 721-1, 1985

Side 1: 180 823721 1 // 1 380 POLYGRAM
Side 2: 180 823721 1 // 2 380 POLYGRAM

Front cover with Verve logo printed at bottom right and catalog number on top right. Backcover with barcode, POL 281 and cassette catalog number on top right; "Diffusé par POLYDOR", "2, rue Cavallotti, 75018 Paris" on bottom left, "Imp. POLYGRAM Imprimé en France" on bottom right. "Kurt Loder liner" inner sleeve. Black Verve label.

Metro Records 2629 001, 1971

Side 1: 2355017 1 380
Side 2: 2355017 2 380
Side 3: 2355018 1 XX 380
Side 4: 2355018 2 380

Original edition.

Gatefold cover, dull. "G.U. 2629 001" printed on the spine. Front cover with Metro Records logo at bottom and catalog number printed just above. Back cover with Ux2 price code on top right, "Distribution Polydor S.A." at the end of the liner notes, and "Imp. Glory Carpel, 92-Clichy" on bottom left.

Dark grey/silver Metro label. Record manufactured by CIDIS in Louviers, France, thin simple ring 30 mm diameter and a second, elevated thick ring with inner diameter of 86 mm (1967-1975). Sister Ray is mispelled as Sister Bay on side 3. "MFD. BY GRAMMOPHON GESELLSCHAFT".

Side 1: 1. I'm Waiting For The Man (4:37) / 2. Candy Says (4:09) / 3. Run Run Run (4:18) / 4. White Light/White Heat (2:44) / 5. All Tomorrow's Parties (5:55).

Side 2: 1. Sunday Morning (2:53) / 2. I Heard Her Call My Name (4:05) / 3. Femme Fatale (2:35) / 4. Heroin (7:05) / 5. Here She Comes Now (2:30) / 6. There She Goes Again ( 2:30).

Side 3: 1. Sister Ray (17:00) / 2. Venus In Furs (5:07).

Side 4: 1. European Son (7:40) / 2. Pale Blue Eyes (5:40) / 3. Black Angel's Death Song (3:10) / 4. Beginning To See The Light (4:48).

Metro Records 2629 001, 1972

Side 1: 2355017 1 380
Side 2: 2355017 2 380
Side 3: 2355018 1 XX 380
Side 4: 2355018 2 380

Gatefold cover, glossy. "G.U. 2629 001" printed on the spine. Front cover with Metro Records logo at bottom and catalog number printed just above.

Back cover with Ux2 price code on top right, "Distribution Polydor S.A." at the end of the liner notes, and "Imprimé en France - Imp. Glory - 92602 Asnières" on bottom left.

Dark grey/silver Metro label. Sister Ray is mispelled as Sister Bay on side 3. "MFD. BY GRAMMOPHON GESELLSCHAFT".

Metro Records 2629 001, post-1979

Side 1: 2355017 1 380 CIDIS
Side 2: 2355017 2 380 CIDIS
Side 3: 2355018 1 XX 380 CIDIS
Side 4: 2355018 2 380 CIDIS

Reissue.

Gatefold cover, glossy. "G.U. 2629 001" printed on the spine. Front cover with Metro Records logo at bottom and catalog number printed just above. Back cover with POL 390 price code on top right, "Distribution Polydor S.A." at the end of the liner notes, and "Imprimé en France - Imp. Glory - 92602 Asnières" on bottom left.

Polydor inner sleeve.

Black/silver Metro label, Sister Ray is mispelled as Sister Bay on side 3. "MFD. BY GRAMMOPHON GESELLSCHAFT".

Metro Records 2629 00-1, post-1979

Side 1: 2355 017 1Y 1 ℗1969 670
Side 2: 2355 017 2Y 1 ℗1969 670
Side 3: 2355 018 1Y 1 ℗1969 670
Side 4: 2355 018 2Y 1 ℗1969 670

Reissue.

Gatefold cover, glossy. "PIETRO RECORDS 2629 001" printed on the spine. Front cover with catalog number printed on top right and Metro Records logo at bottom. Back cover with "2629 00-1" and POL 248 price code on top right, English notes by Russ Curry, "Diffusé par POLYDOR | 2, rue Cavallotti, 75018 Paris" at the end of the liner notes, and "Imp. Polygram Imprimé en France" on bottom right.

Dark grey Metro label, Sister Ray is mispelled as Sister Bay on side 3. "MFD. BY GRAMMOPHON GESELLSCHAFT".

Metro Records 841 0181, post-1984

Side 1: 2355 017 1Y 1 ℗1969 670
Side 2: 2355 017 2Y 1 ℗1969 670
Side 3: 2355 018 1Y 1 ℗1969 670
Side 4: 2355 018 2Y 1 ℗1969 670

80s reissue with barcode.

Gatefold cover, glossy. "PIETRO RECORDS 841 0181" printed on the spine. Front cover without catalog number and with Metro Records logo at bottom. Back cover with barcode, "841 0181" catalog number and POL 248 price code on top right, English notes by Russ Curry, "Diffusé par POLYDOR | 2, rue Cavallotti, 75018 Paris" at the end of the liner notes, no printing company mentioned.

Dark grey Metro label, yet again Sister Ray is mispelled as Sister Bay on side 3. "ALBUM N° 841 0181" printed on left side of the label. "MFD. BY GRAMMOPHON GESELLSCHAFT".

Polydor 2612 021, September 1972

Side 1: 2344034 XXXXXX XXXXXXX X 380 1
Side 2: 2344034 XXXXXXX 2 380
Side 3: 2344033 XXXXXXX 1 380
Side 4: 2344033 XXXXXXX 2 380

2-LP compilation with same tracklist as the German Pop History Vol 19. The inside notes are actually reviews reprinted from The Velvet Underground And Nico original gatefold. Psychedelic laminated gatefold sleeve, "GRAVURE UNIVERSELLE" printed on top left and "album 2 disques" on bottom right, Tx2 price code on back cover.

Red Polydor label.

20-second intro to The Murder Mystery is edited out!

Side 1: Lady Godiva's Operation (4:52) / Eulogy To Lenny Bruce (3:45) / What Goes On (4:52) / Winter Song (3:15) / Some Kind Of Love (3:35).

Side 2: The Gift (8:14) / Chelsea Girl (7:25) / I'm Set Free (4:05).

Side 3: The Murder Mystery (8:35) / Little Sister (4:20) / I'll Be Your Mirror (2:01) / Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams (5:15).

Side 4: Jesus (6:24) / The Fairest Of The Seasons (4:05) / After Hours (2:05) / It Was A Pleasure The (8:00) / That's The Story Of My Life (2:05).

MGM Pride Records 2315 246, 1973

Side 1: 2315246 1 380 CIDIS
Side 2: 2315 246 2 380 CIDIS

Swan glossy cover, with catalog number printed on top right. Back cover with U price code and "Made and Printed in France" | Imp. C.I.D.I.S. Louviers | Distribution exclusive Polydor S.A.

Blue/gold MGM label. Record manufactured by CIDIS in Louviers, France (thin simple ring 30 mm diameter and a second, elevated thick ring with inner diameter of 86 mm. Also some other copies with alternate thin double ring 30/34 mm diameter).

As all other editions of this compilation, the label reads "THAT's THE STORY OF MY LIFE" as album title, although it doesn't appear on the cover. Tucker is mispelled as "Tucken" in Sister Ray credits.

Side 1: That's The Story Of My Life (2:05) / Sister Ray (17:00) / Lady Godiva's Operation (4:52).

Side 2: Heroin (7:05) / Sunday Morning (2:53) / All Tomorrow's Parties (5:55) / There She Goes Again (2:30) / White Light/White Heat (2:44) / Femme Fatale (2:35).

MGM Pride Records 2315 246

Side 1: 2315246 1 380 CIDIS
Side 2: 2315 246 2 380 CIDIS

Same record in the same cover but with alternate dark grey MGM label.

MGM Pride Records 2315 246, post-1975

Side 1: 2315246 1 380 CIDIS
Side 2: 2315 246 2 380 CIDIS

Same record in the same cover but with black MGM label. Unique 20 mm diameter pressing ring.

MGM Pride Records 2315 246, post-1979

Side 1: 2315246 1 380 CIDIS
Side 2: 2315 246 2 380 CIDIS

POL 320 price code. "POLYGRAM INDUSTRIES MESSAGERIES".

Sélection du Reader's Digest Polydor 303 SM 4, 1981

Side 1: 958 303 SM4 LPL 5925 1Y 380 POLYGRAM
Side 2: 958 303SM 4 LPL 5925 2Y 380 POLYGRAM

Part of the "POP SUPERSTARS 60 - Les premières années de la pop music" 10-LP box set. Alternate cover art with Lou Reed photo by Claude Gassian. Back cover has exclusive liner notes in French by Henri Heymans. Black label which reads "THE VELVET UNDERGROUND AVEC LOU REED ET NICO".

Home

by Olivier Landemaine
last modified: February 9, 2020

©1996-2020 The Velvet Underground Web Page