Vinyl pressings
by Anthony Quinn · 1981
Life Itself Will Let You Know 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.
24 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 20 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.
WEAL-18.783.ARunout side A, variant 1
WEAL-18.783.BRunout side B, variant 1
WEAL. 18-783-A M5Runout side A, variant 2
WEAL- 18-783-B H3Runout side B, variant 2
K+79240+A W-18Etched side A
K+79240+B W-18Etched side B
STRAWBERRYStamped on both sides
ST-RR-40643-1 @tGP SRC 1-1Runout Etchings (Both Sides)
ST-RR-40643-SPLabels
MX198623Side A Label
MX198624Side B Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | WEA Records SA / NV 200116First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | WEA 79240First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Belgium | WEA Records SA / NV WEAL 18783 / WEA Records SA / NV WEAL 18.783First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Brazil | WEA 18.049First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Canada | WEA WEA 79240First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | WEA WEA 79240 QFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Ecuador | WEA 45-91003First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | WEA 18 783First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | WEA 18 783First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | RCA PB 5840First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | WEA K 79240First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Italy | WEA U 79240First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | WEA P-1586JFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Mexico | Helix HXS-19144First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Mexico | Helix HXS-19143First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records WB-77-2397", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
26 vinyl pressings of Life Itself Will Let You Know are listed here, from 21 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Netherlands, UK, US, Argentina and more. One of them is WEA Records SA / NV WEA 18.783.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WEA 18.783, K 79240, RR 3890, 200116) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WEAL-18.783.A and WEAL-18.783.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.
