Vinyl pressings
by Alphaville · 1984
Forever Young 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.
31 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
Digital Mastering by SNB "D" R/S Alsdorf 249264-7 A2Runout side A, variant 1
Digital Mastering by SNB "D" R/S Alsdorf 249264-7 B2Runout side B, variant 1
Digital Mastering by SNB R/S Alsdorf 249264-7 A2x S 83Runout side A, variant 2
Digital Mastering by SNB R/S Alsdorf 249264-7 B2 7xRunout side B, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 249264-7 A2 <T> Digital Mastering by SNBRunout side A
R/S Alsdorf 249264-7 B2 <T> Digital Mastering by SNBRunout side B
R/S Alsdorf 249264-0 A2Runout side A, var.1
R/S Alsdorf 249264-0 B Digital High Dynamic Mastering by SNBRunout side B, var.1
R/S Alsdorf 249234-0 A Digital High Dynamic Mastering by SNBRunout side A, var.2
R/S Alsdorf 249234-0 B Digital High Dynamic Mastering by SNB DRunout side B, var.2
R/S Alsdorf 249264-0 A2 <T>
R/S Alsdorf 249264-0 Bx <T> Digital High Dynamic Mastering by SNB
R/S Alsdorf 249264-0 ARun-out groove side A - stamped
R/S Alsdorf 249264-0 B2Run-out groove side B - stamped
Digital High Dynamic Mastering By SNBRun -out groove side A - etched
Digital High Dynamic Mastering by SNBRun-out groove side B - etched
X9264A//1∇420 VA-side runout
X9264B//1∇420 VB-side runout
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 | Australia | WEA 7-249264First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Bolivia | WEA WS-9109First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | WEA 24 91007First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Greece | WEA 249264-0First year12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1984 | Greece | WEA 249264-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Greece | WEA 24964First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1984 | Greece | WEA 249264-0First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, White Label | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, White Label |
| 1984 | Ireland | WEA 249 264-7 / WEA X9264First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | WEA 24 9264-0First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | WEA 24 9264-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Italy | WEA 24 9264-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Portugal | WEA 229 24-9264-7 / WEA 229 24 9264-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Portugal | WEA 229 24-9264-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | South Africa | WEA WIS 831First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Spain | WEA 229 24 9264-0First year12" | 12" |
44 vinyl pressings of Forever Young are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1984 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Europe, UK, US, Benelux and more. One of them is WEA 249 264-7-N, released September 20, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 249 264-7-N, 249 264-0, X9264, X9264T) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Digital Mastering by SNB "D" R/S Alsdorf 249264-7 A2 and Digital Mastering by SNB "D" R/S Alsdorf 249264-7 B2. 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.
