Vinyl pressings
by Bee Gees · 1989
Ordinary Lives was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 8 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.
W7523-A-1 ARUN MT 1 DAMONT LRunout side A
W7523-B-1 MT 1 DAMONT 4Runout side B
W7523 ALabel side A
W7523 BLabel side B
R/S Alsdorf 927523-7-A2Runout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 927523-7-B2Runout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 927523-7-A2 8 HRunout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 927523-7-B 12 HRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 927 523-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | France | Warner Bros. Records 927 523-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records 9 27523-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1989 | Portugal | Warner Bros. Records 927 523-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 921 175-0First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records S 927 523-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK & Europe | Warner Bros. Records W7523T / Warner Bros. Records 921 175-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W7523 / Warner Bros. Records 927 523-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W7523T / Warner Bros. Records 921 175-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 7-27523First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Ordinary Lives are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, Australia, Europe, France and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records W7523, released March 27, 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use W7523, W7523T, 7-27523, 927 523-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, W7523-A-1 ARUN MT 1 DAMONT L and W7523-B-1 MT 1 DAMONT 4. 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.
