Vinyl pressings
by Billy Joel · 1983
Uptown Girl was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
39 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 17 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 171421 1A STERLING PSide A, Etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
ZSS 171421 1A STERLING PSide B, Etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
ZSS 171421Label A
ZSS 171422Label B
ZSS 171421 1C STERLING G1 A18Side A runout, var. 1
ZSS 171422 1A STERLING D G1Side B runout, var. 1
ZSS 171421 1C A3 STERLING G1Side A runout, var. 2
ZSS 171422 1C A5 STERLING o G1Side B runout, var. 2
ZSS 171421 1A STERLING PSide A, Etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
ZSS 171421 1B STERLING PSide B, Etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
ZSS 171421Label A
ZSS 171422Label B
ZSS 171421 1A STERLING PRunout A
ZSS 171421 1B STERLING PRunout B
ZSS 171421Labels
ZSS-171411-1A
A-3775-A1Side A runout, etched, variant 1
A-3775-B1Side B runout, etched, variant 1
A-3775-A1 3 CSide A runout, etched, variant 2
A-3775-B1 CSide B runout, etched, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | CBS BA 223114 / Family Productions BA 223114First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | CBS BA 223114First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Brazil | CBS 43555 / Discos CBS 43.555First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | Columbia 38 04149 / Family Productions 38 04149First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Costa Rica | CBS 7012763First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Europe | CBS CBSA 3775 / CBS A-3775First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | CBS CBSA 3775 / CBS A-3775First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | CBS CBSA 3775 / CBS A-3775First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | France | CBS CBS A3775First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | France | CBS CBS A3775First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | CBS A3775First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Italy | CBS CBS A 3523First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 761First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 761First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | CBS BA 223114First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia 53-04149 / Collectables 53-041497", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia 53-041497", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
42 vinyl pressings of Uptown Girl are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1983 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Columbia 38-04149, released September 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 38-04149, A3775, TA3775, TA 3775) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS 171421 1A STERLING P and ZSS 171421 1A STERLING P. 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.
