Vinyl pressings
by a-ha · 1984
Take On Me was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. 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 1984, 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.
W9146 A//1▽420E Penthouse STREUTH!! [drawing] 1 1 4Runout side A
W9146 B//1▽420 E 1 1 2 PenthouseRunout side B
W9146 A//1▽420 E 1 1 1 Penthouse STREUTH!! [drawing]Runout side A, Variant 2
W9146 B//1▽420 E 1 1 2 PenthouseRunout side B, Variant 2
W 9146 A//1▼420 E PenthouseRunout Side A [Stamped]
STREUTH!!Runout Side A [Hand-etched]
W 9146 B//1▼420 E PenthouseRunout Side B [Stamped]
W 9146 A*Label Side A
W9146T A//1 ▽ 420 V 1 1 2Side A runout
W9146T B/1 ▽ 420 V 1 1 2Side B runout
W 9146 (T) A*Side A label
W 9146 (T) B*Side B label
W9146T A//1 ▽ 420 VSide A runout, stamped
W9146T B/1 ▽ 420 VSide B runout, stamped
R/S Alsdorf 920268-0 A N B̶E̶ NWRunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 920268-0 BRunout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 920268-0 AX NWRunout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 920268-0 BRunout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 920 268-0 / Warner Bros. Records W 9146 TFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 929 146-7 / Warner Bros. Records 929 146-7ⓃFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records 92 0268-0First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records 92 9146-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records 7929146First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 92 0268-0First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 92 9146-7First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 92 9146-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 92 0268-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W9146 / Warner Bros. Records W 9146First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W 9146 / Warner Bros. Records W9146First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W9146T / Warner Bros. Records W 9146 (T)First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W9146TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Advance | 12", 45 RPM, Advance |
| 1984 | Jamaica | Warner Bros. Records W 9146First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Portugal | Warner Bros. Records 1590007 / Warner Bros. Records 9 29011-77", Single | 7", Single |
15 vinyl pressings of Take On Me are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1984 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Jamaica, Europe, Italy and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records W9146.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use W9146, W 9146, W9146T, 920 268-0) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, W9146 A//1▽420E Penthouse STREUTH!! [drawing] 1 1 4 and W9146 B//1▽420 E 1 1 2 Penthouse. 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.
