Vinyl pressings
by Billy Joel · 1980
Don't Ask Me Why was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 12 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.
ZSS 167668 1D ᵀᴵᴵᴵ sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢRunout A, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped)
T ZSS 167669 1C ᵀᴵ sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢRunout B, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped)
ZSS 167668Label A
ZSS 167669Label B
ZSS 167668 1B STERLING PRunout, side A
ZSS 167669 1A STERLING PRunout, side B
ZSS 167668Label A
ZSS 167669Label B
ZSS 167668 1E SSSS [STERLING]Side A, Scribed [Stamped]
ZSS 167669 1F S [STERLING]Side B, Scirbed [Stamped]
ZSS 167668Side A, Label
ZSS 167669Side B, Label
ZSS 167668 1 C T1 STERLINGRunout both sides, etched
ZSS 167668 STERLINGLabel both sides
ZSS 167668 1BRunouts
ZSS 167668Labels
CBS-S 9031 A3 K DAMONTA-Side - Etched
AY42477 ΛA-Side - Stamped
CBS-S-9031-A3 F DAMONTB-Side - Etched
AY42477 DB-Side - Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | CBS BA 222680First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Australia | CBS BA 222680First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Canada | Columbia 1-11331First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Costa Rica | CBS 12353First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Jamaica | Columbia 1-11331 / Family Productions 1-11331First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 500 / Family Productions 07SP 500First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 500 / Family Productions 07SP 500First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Mexico | CBS 8326First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | New Zealand | CBS BA 222680First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | South Africa | CBS SSC 5076First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Spain | CBS CBS 9031First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | UK | CBS S CBS 9031First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | US | Columbia 1-11331 / Family Productions 1-11331First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Columbia 1-11331 / Family Productions 1-11331First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Columbia 1-11331 / Family Productions 1-11331First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
20 vinyl pressings of Don't Ask Me Why are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia 1-11331, released July 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1-11331, S CBS 9031, BA 222680, 12353) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS 167668 1D ᵀᴵᴵᴵ sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ and T ZSS 167669 1C ᵀᴵ sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ. 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.
