Vinyl pressings
by Bee Gees · 1977
Stayin' Alive was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
52 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 19 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.
RS-885-77NP-3210-S-PRC 1-1-11 PRC STERLINGSide A run-out, variant 1
RS-885-77NP-3̶2̶8̶7̶-S-PRC 1-1-11 3306 PRC STERLINGSide B run-out, variant 1
RS-885-77NP-3210-S-PRC 2-1-1 PRC STERLINGSide A run-out, variant 2
RS-885-77NP-3̶2̶8̶7̶-S-PRC 2-1-11 3306 PRC STERLINGSide B run-out, variant 2
RS-885-77-NP-3210-S-CMP PRC-W 1 STERLINGRunout A, etched exc. Sterling stamp
RS-885-77-NP-3306-S-CMP PRC-W 1 STERLINGRunout B, etched exc. Sterling stamp
77 NP 3210Label A
77 NP 3306Label B
RS-885-77NP-3210 - S - CP 2 STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
RS-885-77NP-3306 - S - STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
RS-885-77NP-3210 - S - CP 5 STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
RS-885- ̶7̶7̶N̶P̶-̶3̶2̶8̶7̶-̶C̶P̶4̶ ̶S̶ ̶ ̶7̶7̶N̶P̶-̶3̶3̶0̶7̶ ̶S̶ 77NP-3306-S STERLINGRunout side B, variant 2
RS-885-77NP-3210-S-CS sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ S1Side A runout
RS-887-77NP-3306-S-CS sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ S1Side B runout
77 NP 3210A side matrix
77 NP 3306B side matrix
RS-885-77NP-3210-S-PRC 1 STERLING PRCSide A Runout
RS-885-77NP-3̶2̶8̶7̶ -S-PRC-1-3306-111 STERLING PRCSide B Runout
RS-885-77NP-3210-S-CP5 STERLINGA side etched, except STERLING stamped (variant 1)
RS-885-77NP-3287-5-C5 [77NP-3307-5 [scratched out] 77NP-3306-5 STERLINGB side etched, except STERLING stamped (variant 1)
RS-885-77NP-3210-S-CP3 STERLINGA side etched, except STERLING stamped (variant 2)
RS-885-[77NP-3287-5-CP5 77NP-3307-5 [scratched out] 77NP-3306-5 STERLING /\B side etched, except STERLING stamped (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | RSO 2090 267First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Australia | RSO 2090 267First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Belgium | RSO 2090 267First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Belgium | RSO 2090 267First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | RSO RS 885 / Polydor RS 885First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | RSO RS 885 / Polydor RS 885First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | RSO RS 885 / Polydor RS 885First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | France | RSO 2090 267First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | France | RSO 2090 267First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | France | Polydor 2054First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | France | RSO 2090 267First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | France | RSO 2090 267First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Guatemala | RSO 2090 267First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Guatemala | RSO 2090 267First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Ireland | Polydor 2090 267First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Italy | Polydor 813 174-112", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Europe | Polydor 889 164-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1989 | Europe | Polydor 889 164-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | RSO TOP 0017", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | RSO RS 885 / Polydor RS 8857", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Kenya | Polydor 2090267 / R.S.O. Ltd. 20902677", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Spain | RSO 20 90 2677", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
83 vinyl pressings of Stayin' Alive are listed here, from 32 countries, released between 1977 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Philippines, Australia and more. One of them is RSO RS 885, released December 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RS 885, 2090 267, 2090-267) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RS-885-77NP-3210-S-PRC 1-1-11 PRC STERLING and RS-885-77NP-3̶2̶8̶7̶-S-PRC 1-1-11 3306 PRC STERLING. 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.
