Vinyl pressings
by Bon Jovi · 1986
Livin' On A Prayer was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
30 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
888-184-7-2-58821 RCA 1 STERLING A1 IEtched in runout A; Sterling is stamped
888-184-7-2-58828 RCA 1 STERLING A2 IEtched in runout B; Sterling is stamped
2-58821Label A
2-58828Label B
888·184·7·2·58821·SP·1 1-2 STERLING [SRC logo]Side A runout
888·184·7·2·58828·SP 1-1 STERLING [SRC logo]Side B runout
2-58821Side A label
2-58828Side B label
PRO-4631-A-2-58821-RCA-3
888-184-7-2-58821-ES STERLINGRunout side A
888-184-7-2-58828-ES STERLINGRunout side B
2-58821Label side A
2-58828Label side B
VERX-28-AIRunout side A, hand-etched, variant 1
VERX 28 B//4▽420 TRunout side B, machine-stamped, variant 1
VERX-28-A2 MTRunout side A, hand-etched, variant 2
VERX 28 B//4▽420 T 11 1Runout side B, machine-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Mercury 888 184-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Mercury MS 76254First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Mercury BONX 1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Deluxe Edition | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Deluxe Edition |
| 1986 | Canada | Mercury MS 76254First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Deluxe Edition | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Deluxe Edition |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 888 118-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 888170-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 888 118-1First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1986 | France | Mercury 888 118-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Guatemala | Mercury 888 118-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Ireland | Vertigo VER 28First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Mercury 888 184-7 / PolyGram 888 184-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Panama | Mercury 8881 70-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Philippines | Mercury MER-24-797First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | Vertigo VER 28First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | Vertigo VER 28First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
38 vinyl pressings of Livin' On A Prayer are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1986 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Mercury 888 184-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 888 184-7, 888 118-1, PRO 463-1, 888 184-7 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 888-184-7-2-58821 RCA 1 STERLING A1 I and 888-184-7-2-58828 RCA 1 STERLING A2 I. 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.
