Vinyl pressings
by Carole Bayer Sager · 1981
Stronger Than Before was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 10 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.
T WS8▒02054-AS-T1 JACKI/JILL T1Runout side A, etched
WS8-▒ ▒ 0254-BS-T3 NIKKI T1/Runout side B, etched
WS8 02054 ASLabel side A
WS8 02054 BSLabel side B
WS8▒02054-AS-1B JACKI/JILL S S SSide A runout
WS8-▒ ▒ 0254-BS-1B NIKKI S S SSide B runout
WS8 02054 ASSide A label
WS8 02054 BSSide B label
P WS 802054-AS JACKI/JILLRunout side A, etched
WS 80254-BS XX NIKKIRunout side B, etched
WS8 02054 ASLabel side A
WS8 02054 BSLabel side B
(WS8 02054 AS)Label both sides
ASCAP
BMI
(WS8 02054 AS)Stereo side label
(WS8 02054 AM)Mono side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | CBS ES 635First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | CBS ES 635First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Brazil | Epic 46505 / Epic 46.505First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | The Boardwalk Entertainment Co WS8 02054First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | The Boardwalk Entertainment Co WS8 02054First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | The Boardwalk Entertainment Co 101493 / Vogue 101493First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Italy | The Boardwalk Entertainment Co N BW 1706First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Japan | The Boardwalk Entertainment Co 07SP 549First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Mexico | Columbia K-30.212First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Epic ES 638First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A1322First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A 1322First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | The Boardwalk Entertainment Co WS8 02054First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1981 | US | The Boardwalk Entertainment Co WS8 02054First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | The Boardwalk Entertainment Co WS8 02054First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
19 vinyl pressings of Stronger Than Before are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is The Boardwalk Entertainment Co WS8 02054.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WS8 02054, EPC A 1322, EPC A1322, ES 635) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T WS8▒02054-AS-T1 JACKI/JILL T1 and WS8-▒ ▒ 0254-BS-T3 NIKKI T1/. 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.
