Vinyl pressings
by Bronski Beat · 1984
Why? was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
46 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 15 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.
261 882014 7 // 1 380 POLYGRAMA-Side run-out, pressed
261 882014 7 // 2 380 POLYGRAMB-Side run-out, pressed
882 014-7 1A-Side, Center Label
882 014-7 2B-Side, Center Label
261 882014 7 // 1 380 POLYGRAMStamped on runout area side A
261 882014 7 // 2 380 POLYGRAMStamped on runout area side B
261 882014 1 // 1 380 POLYGRAM A 3Side A
261 882014 1 // 2 380 POLYGRAM A 3Side B
BITEX 2 A // 2 ∇ 420 R 1 1 1Runout A-side, variant 1
BITEX 2 B // 2 ∇ 420 R 1 4 3Runout B-side, variant 1
BITEX 2 A // 2 ∇ 420 R 1 4 4Runout A-side, variant 2
BITEX 2 B // 2 ∇ 420 R 1 1 5Runout B-side, variant 2
BITE 2 A // 1 ▽420 R 1 1 1 3 ARUNRunout side A
BITE 2 B // 2 ▽420 R 1 2 6Runout side B
BITEX 2 A // 7 ▽ 420 RSide A runout (variant 1)
BITEX2 B // 8 ▽ 420 RSide B runout (variant 1)
BITEX 2 A // 2 ▽ 420 R 1 3 8Side A runout (variant 2)
BITEX2 B // 4 ▽ 420 R 1 1 2Side B runout (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australasia | London Records 882 014-1First year12", Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | Australasia | London Records 882 014-1 / Forbidden Fruit 882 014-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | Australia | London Records 882 014-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Canada | London Records LDS 219First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | London Records LDSX 219First year12", Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | Canada | London Records DJ 77First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | France | London Records 882 014-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Barclay 882 014-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | France | London Records 882 014-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Metronome 882 014-1 / Metronome 882 014-1 MEFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Metronome 882 014-7 / Metronome 882 014-7MEFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Metronome 882 014-1 / Metronome 882 014-1 MEFirst year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | Metronome 882 014-7 / Metronome 882.014-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Metronome 882 014-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Metronome 882 014-7 MEFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Netherlands | Not On Label7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
49 vinyl pressings of Why? are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in France, UK, US, Japan and more. One of them is London Records 882 014-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 882 014-7, 882 014-1, BITEX 2, BITE 2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 261 882014 7 // 1 380 POLYGRAM and 261 882014 7 // 2 380 POLYGRAM. 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.
