UK
August 1981- Label and catalog number
- Epic EPC A1522Epic EPC A 1522
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
Vinyl pressings
Happy Birthday
by Altered Images · 1981
24 pressings11 countriesNew WaveRockPop
Happy Birthday was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Happy Birthday
24 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 11 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.
UK
1981- Label and catalog number
- Epic EPC A1522Epic EPC A 1522
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
EPC.S.A.1522 A1Side A Runout, etched variants 1&2
EPC.S.A.1522 B1Side B Runout, etched variant 1
EPC S-A-1522∙B-2Side B Runout, etched variant 2
TOWN HOUSESide A & B Runout, stamped variants 1&2
UK
1981- Label and catalog number
- Epic EPC A 13 1522Epic EPC A 13-1522
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
EPC·S·A·13· 1522 A1 TOWN HOUSERun-out Side A
EPC·S·A·13· 1522 B1 TOWN HOUSE <Run-out Side B
EPC A 13 1522 A*Label Side A
EPC A 13 1522 B*Label Side B
UK
1981- Label and catalog number
- Epic EPC A 13 1522Epic EPC A 13-1522
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Single · Transfer
- Runout / matrix
EPC·S·A·13· 1522 A1 TOWN HOUSERun-out Side A
EPC·S·A·13· 1522 B1 TOWN HOUSE <Run-out Side B
EPC A 13 1522 A*Label Side A
EPC A 13 1522 B*Label Side B
UK
1981- Label and catalog number
- Epic EPC A1522
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Company Sleeve, Injection Moulded Labels
- Runout / matrix
EPC-S . A.1522 A1Hand etched runout, side A
TOWN HOUSE 5C DStamped runout, side A
EPC-S . A.1522 B1Hand etched runout, side B
TOWN HOUSE DStamped runout, side B
UK
1981- Label and catalog number
- Epic EPC A1522Epic EPC A 1522
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Paper Labels
- Runout / matrix
EPC C̸B̸S̸ S.A. 1522 A.2 TOWNHOUSE ARunout side A
EPC C̸B̸S̸ S.A. 1522. B.2 TOWNHOUSE ARunout side B
EPC A1522 ASide A Label
EPC A1522 BSide B Label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 24 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s24 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Epic ES 691First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Australia | Epic ES 691First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | Portrait 24 02661First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | Canada | Portrait 24 02661 / Portrait ZSS 168891First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Europe | Epic EPCA 1522 / Epic A 1522First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Epic EPCA 1522First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Italy | Epic EPC A 1522First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Epic 07・5P-172First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Japan | Epic 07・5P-172First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Epic ES691First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | South Africa | Epic EN 5261First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Spain | Epic EPC A 1522 / Epic EPC A-1522First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A1522 / Epic EPC A 1522First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A 13 1522 / Epic EPC A 13-1522First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A 13 1522 / Epic EPC A 13-1522First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
Tracklist
- AHappy Birthday3:00
- BSo We Go Whispering3:41
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Happy Birthday are there?
24 vinyl pressings of Happy Birthday are listed here, from 11 countries.
When was Happy Birthday first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Epic EPC A1522, released August 1981.
How do I tell if my copy of Happy Birthday is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EPC A1522, EPC A 13 1522, 24-02661, AS 1344) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Happy Birthday on vinyl worth?
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.
