Vinyl pressings
by a-ha · 1988
Stay On These Roads was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
33 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 13 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.
R/S Alsdorf 920901-0-ARunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 920901-0-BRunout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 920901-0-Ax HRunout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 920901-0-Bxxx W7936T-B HRunout side B, variant 2
H R/S Alsdorf 927936-7-A XRunout Side A, Variant 1
H R/S Alsdorf 927936-7-BRunout Side B, Variant 1
H S R/S Alsdorf 927936-7-ARunout Side A, Variant 2
H R/S Alsdorf 927936-7-BxxRunout Side B, Variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 927936-7-Axxxx W 7936 - A HRunout Side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 927936-7-B HRunout Side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 927936-7-AX 7⃥ W 7936-AX 22 B⃫ ⃫E⃫ H 2DRunout Side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 927936-7-Bxxxx W 7936 XXXX 9 HRunout Side B, variant 2
W 7936- A - MT. 1 1 ARUNRunout side A
W 7936-B- MT. 1 1Runout side B
W 7936 A*Label side A
W 7936 B*Label side B
W 7936 (T) - A MT. 2Runout, A-side, etched, variant 1
W 7936 (T) - B MT. 2Runout, B-side, etched, variant 1
W 7936 (T) - A. MT. 1 DAMONT LRunout, A-side, etched, variant 2
W 7936 T- B. MT. 1 DAMONT HRunout, B-side, etched, variant 2
W+7936+TP+A SRTRunout side A
W+7936+TP+B SRTRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 7-27936 / Warner Bros. Records 7.27936First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 0.20901First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 78867First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Ecuador | WEA 45-80140First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | France | Warner Bros. Records 927 936-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records 92 7936-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records 92 7936-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records PS-1057First yearFlexi-disc, 6", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl | Flexi-disc, 6", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 1988 | Portugal | Warner Bros. Records 159 266 7 / Warner Bros. Records 1592667First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBS 535First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Spain | WEA 927 936-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records W 7936 / Warner Bros. Records 927936-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 920 901-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-27886 / Warner Bros. Records 9 27886-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1988 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-27886-AFirst year7", Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 788677", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
34 vinyl pressings of Stay On These Roads are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in Europe, UK, US, Ireland and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 920 901-0, released March 14, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 920 901-0, 927 936-7, W 7936, W 7936 (T)) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 920901-0-A and R/S Alsdorf 920901-0-B. 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.
