Morgan Wallen wasn't always a stadium-filling powerhouse with a signature mullet and a record-breaking streak on the Billboard charts. Before the double-album behemoths and the global tours, there was a scrappy debut that changed everything for modern country music. That debut was If I Know Me. Released in 2018 under Big Loud Records, it didn't just introduce a voice; it introduced a specific brand of "hick-hop" infused country that resonated with a younger, rowdier generation. But here is the thing: if you are looking for an If I Know Me vinyl today, you aren't just buying a record. You are basically hunting for a piece of country music history that has become surprisingly elusive.
It's wild. You’d think a debut album from one of the biggest stars in the world would be everywhere. It isn't.
Most fans remember the hits. "Up Down" featuring Florida Georgia Line was the summer anthem that wouldn't quit, and "Whiskey Glasses" eventually became a multi-platinum monster that defined 2019. When the album first dropped, vinyl wasn't the primary focus for the label. Streaming was king. Because of that, the initial pressings were relatively modest compared to the millions of units Wallen moves now. This created a supply-and-demand nightmare for collectors later on.
The Weird Market for If I Know Me Vinyl
So, why is it so tough to find? Honestly, it’s a mix of timing and the meteoric rise of Wallen's career. When Dangerous: The Double Album exploded, everyone went back to look for the debut. They wanted the origin story. The original 2018 pressings and even some of the subsequent 2020 reissues started disappearing from shelves faster than a cold beer on a Friday night.
If you browse Discogs or eBay, you'll see the prices reflect this scarcity. It’s not uncommon to see a standard black wax version going for double or triple its original retail price. Then you have the variants. Collectors love color. There was a limited edition translucent orange vinyl that was an absolute fan favorite. Finding that one in mint condition? Good luck. You’re gonna pay a premium for it.
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The production of these records happened right as the "vinyl revival" was hitting a snag with global supply chain issues and plant backlogs. Big Loud had to prioritize newer releases. Consequently, If I Know Me stayed out of print for stretches of time, leaving fans to scour independent record stores and secondary markets.
What You Get on the Record
The tracklist is a time capsule. It’s shorter than his later work, clocking in at 14 tracks. That’s a tight, cohesive listening experience compared to the 30-plus song marathons he releases now. On vinyl, the warmth of the production really highlights the organic instruments buried under the trap-influenced beats.
The A-Side Vibe: This side is dominated by the party tracks. "Way Out Here" and "Happy Hour" set the stage. When you drop the needle on "Up Down," the bass hits differently on a physical format. It’s punchy.
The B-Side Emotional Core: This is where you find "Whiskey Glasses" and "Chasin' You." These aren't just radio hits; they are the songs that proved Wallen could handle heartbreak as well as he handled a party.
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The jacket art is also iconic in its own way. It features a younger Wallen, pre-mullet (or at least pre-peak-mullet), sitting on the tailgate of a truck. It’s classic country imagery that feels a bit more "Nashville polished" than his current outlaw-adjacent aesthetic.
Spotting a Fake vs. a Legit Pressing
With high demand comes the risk of bootlegs. While the country music world isn't as plagued by "unofficial imports" as the hip-hop or indie rock scenes, they do exist. A legitimate If I Know Me vinyl will always have the Big Loud Records logo and specific matrix runout numbers etched into the wax near the label.
Check the weight. A standard pressing is usually around 140 grams. If it feels flimsy or paper-thin, be wary. Also, the sleeve quality matters. Official releases have high-resolution printing; fakes often look a little pixelated if you stare at the text long enough.
Why Collectors Obsess Over This Specific Album
It represents the shift. Before this record, country was leaning heavily into the "Bro-Country" sunset. Wallen brought a different grit. He sounded like the guys people actually knew in small towns. Having this on vinyl is a status symbol for the "Day One" fans. It says, "I was here before the stadium tours."
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There’s also the sonic element. Country music, with its emphasis on steel guitar and vocal twang, naturally thrives on analog. Digital streaming often flattens the dynamics of a song like "The Way I Talk." On vinyl, the acoustic guitar strums have room to breathe. You hear the scratchiness in his voice. It feels more human.
How to Actually Buy One Without Getting Ripped Off
Don't just hit "Buy It Now" on the first $150 listing you see. Be smart.
- Check Local Shops: Sometimes, smaller record stores in the South or Midwest have old stock that hasn't been listed online.
- Wait for the Restock: Every so often, Big Loud will do a quiet repress. Sign up for the official Morgan Wallen mailing list. They usually announce merch drops there first.
- Verify the Seller: If buying on Discogs, only go with sellers who have a 99% or higher rating. Ask for photos of the corners of the jacket to check for "shelf wear" or "seam splits."
The truth is, If I Know Me isn't just an album anymore; it’s a cultural marker. It’s the sound of a genre shifting gears. Whether you’re a die-hard collector or just someone who wants to hear "Whiskey Glasses" without a Spotify ad interrupting the mood, the vinyl version is the definitive way to experience it.
Next Steps for Collectors
To secure a copy of the If I Know Me vinyl without overpaying, your first move should be checking the inventory of specialized country music retailers like Ernest Tubb Record Shop or checking the "Sold" listings on eBay to see what the actual market value is today—don't let an asking price dictate your budget. If you find a copy for under $40, buy it immediately. That's a steal in the current market. Keep an eye on the 10th-anniversary window (coming up in a few years) as that is the most likely time for a high-quality, remastered "Deluxe" vinyl reissue that could include bonus tracks or gatefold packaging.