UK
September 1981- Label and catalog number
- Epic EPC 84893
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
EPC - S - 84893 - A1 ∴Side A
EPC - S - 84893 - B1 ∴Side B
Vinyl pressings
Happy Birthday
by Altered Images · 1981
17 pressings9 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
12 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 7 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
September 1981- Label and catalog number
- Epic EPC 84893
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
∴ EPC - S - 84893 - A1 43Side A
∴ EPC - S - 84893 - B1 4∇Side B
UK
September 1981- Label and catalog number
- Epic EPC 84893
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
EPC - S - 84893 - A - 1 5 D TIMTOM - CBSSide A
EPC - S - 84893 - B - 1 4 TY-CBS DSide B
UK
1981- Label and catalog number
- Epic EPC 84893
- Format
- LP, Album, White Label
- Runout / matrix
EPC - S - 84893 - A1 ∴Side A runout
EPC - S - 84893 - B1 ∴Side B runout
US
1981- Label and catalog number
- Portrait PR 37738
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
AL-37738-1J COLUMBIA NY
BL 37738-1BNo Columbia Stamp
US
1981- Label and catalog number
- Portrait FR 37738
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
AL-37738-1J COLUMBIA NYSide A runout, variant 1
BL-37738-1A COLUMBIA NYSide B runout, variant 1
AL-37738-1J COLUMBIA NYSide A runout, variant 2
BL-37738-1B COLUMBIA NYSide B runout, variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 17 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s13 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Europe | Epic EPC 84893 / Epic 84893First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony 25-3P-346First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Epic 25·3P-346First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Epic 25·3P-346First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Epic ELPS 4280First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | Epic KSF 2694First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC 84893First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1981 | US | Portrait PR 37738First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Portrait FR 37738First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC 84893First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC 84893First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC 84893First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Portrait FR 37738LP, Album | LP, Album |
2010s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | UK | Vinyl 180 VIN180LP109 / Vinyl 180 VIN1807109LP, Album, Reissue, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, All Media, Special Edition · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, All Media, Special Edition · Colored vinyl |
| 2017 | UK | Vinyl 180 VIN180LP110LP, Album, Record Store Day, Special Edition, Stereo | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Special Edition, Stereo |
2020s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Worldwide | Demon Records 5014797911505LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
Year unknown1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Epic EPC 32355LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Tracklist
- A1Intro Happy Birthday
- A2Love And Kisses
- A3Real Toys
- A4Idols
- A5Legionaire
- A6Faithless
- A7Beckoning Strings
- B1Happy Birthday
- B2Midnight
- B3A Days Wait
- B4Leave Me Alone
- B5Insects
- B6Outro Happy Birthday
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Happy Birthday are there?
17 vinyl pressings of Happy Birthday are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1981 and 2024.
When was Happy Birthday first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Europe, Hong Kong and more. One of them is Epic EPC 84893, released September 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 84893, PR 37738, FR 37738, 25-3P-346) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EPC - S - 84893 - A1 ∴ and EPC - S - 84893 - B1 ∴. 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.
