Vinyl pressings
by Carly Simon · 1982
Why was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
29 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 11 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.
ST-WG-41602-2 MASTERDISK RL SP-0-1-SM1-1A-side runout etching
ST-WG-41603-1 SP 1-1B-side runout etching
ST-WG-41602-SPA-side label
ST-WG-41603-SPB-side label
ST-DM-41604-1 MASTERDISK RL 1-1Runout Groove Side A
ST-DM-41605-1 SP 1-1Runout Groove Side B
ST-DM-41604-SPSide A Center Label
ST-DM-41605-SPSide B Center Label
ST-WG-41602-ARA-Side Label
ST-WG-41603-ARB-Side Label
ST-WG-41602-1 MASTERDISK RL SP 1-1A-side runout etching
ST-WG-41603-1 SP 1-1B-side runout etching
ST-WG-41602-SPA-side label
ST-WG-41603-SPB-side label
ST-DM-41604-1 MASTERDISK RL 1-1Runout Groove Side A
ST-DM-41605-1 SP 1-1Runout Groove Side B
ST-DM-41604-SPSide A Center Label
ST-DM-41605-SPSide B Center Label
ST-DM-41604-3 MASTERDISK RL [Allied Symbol] B-16780-3 + SLM Δ 1653Runout Groove Side A
ST-DM-41605-3 [Allied Symbol] B-16781-3 + SLM Δ 1653-XRunout Groove Side B
ST-DM-41604-ARSide A Center Label
ST-DM-41605-ARSide B Center Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | WEA 79299 / Mirage 79299First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Benelux | WEA WEA 79.300 / Mirage WEA 79.300First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1982 | Benelux | WEA WEA 79.299- / Mirage WEA 79.299-First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Benelux | WEA WEA 79.299- / Mirage WEA 79.299-First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 16.226First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Mirage KWEA 79299First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Canada | Mirage KWEA 79299First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | WEA WEA 79 299First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Ireland | WEA K 79300First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Italy | WEA U 79299 / Mirage U 79299First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | Mirage 79299First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Spain | Mirage 79299First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | UK | WEA K 79300T / Mirage K79300TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | WEA K79300First year7", Mispress | 7", Mispress |
| 1982 | US | Mirage DM 4831First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | UK | Past & Present Records PAPRT 80612" | 12" |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | Mirage DM 483112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Canada | Mirage SPEC-1823 / Unidisc SPEC-182312", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | Europe | Mirage SPEC-1823 / Unidisc SPEC-182312", 33 ⅓ RPM, Record Store Day, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Record Store Day, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | WEA K 79300T / Mirage K 79300T12", 45 RPM, Repress | 12", 45 RPM, Repress |
40 vinyl pressings of Why are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1982 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, France, Germany and more. One of them is Mirage WTG 4051, released June 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WTG 4051, DM 4831, DMD 340, K 79300) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-WG-41602-2 MASTERDISK RL SP-0-1-SM1-1 and ST-WG-41603-1 SP 1-1. 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.
