Vinyl pressings
by 38 Special · 1983
Back Where You Belong was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 6 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.
A&M-AM0-2615 A-C2 MASTERDISKRun-out etching side A, MASTERDISK is stamped
A&M-AM0-2615 B-C1 MASTERDISKRun-out etching side B, MASTERDISK is stamped
AM-02615-ALabel sIde A
AM-02615-BLabel side B
MR ∆109559 x A&M-AM0-2615 A-MIRun-out Etching Side A
MR ∆109559 A&M-AM0-2615 B-MIRun-out Etching Side B
MASTERDISKRunout, Side A & B, Stamped
AM-02615-ALabel SIde A
I MASTERDISK A1 A&M-AM0-2615 A-RCA1A-Side Runout Etching
I A1 MASTERDISK A&M-AM-02615 B RCA3B-Side Runout Etching
AM-02615-AA-Side Label
AM-02615-BB-Side Label
(AM-02615-A)Label SIde A
(AM-02615-B)Label Side B
A&M-SP-017265-A-ES2 MASTERDISKRunout A side
A&M-SP-017265-AA MASTERDISKRunout AA side
SP-017265-ALabel A side
SP-017265-AALabel AA side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Barbados | A&M Records AM-2615First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | A&M Records AM-2615First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 9766First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-792First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-792First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | Philippines | A&M Records AM-70629First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records AM-2615First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records AM-2615First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records AM-2615First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records AM-2615First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records AM-2615First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records SP-17265First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
12 vinyl pressings of Back Where You Belong are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Barbados, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is A&M Records AM-2615.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AM-2615, SP-17265, AMS 9766, AMP-792) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A&M-AM0-2615 A-C2 MASTERDISK and A&M-AM0-2615 B-C1 MASTERDISK. 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.
