Vinyl pressings
by Chaka Khan · 1978
Life Is A Dance was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 5 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.
K 17320 (T) - A1 - EG - STRAWBERRY S-4Side A runout, variant 1
K 17320 (T) - B1 - EG - STRAWBERRY S-2Side B runout, variant 1
K 17320 (T) - A1 - EG - STRAWBERRY S-3Side A runout, variant 2
K 17320 (T) - B1 - EG - STRAWBERRY S-7Side B runout, variant 2
WNY 1632S-WW1 ─◁Runout side A
WNY 1689S-WW1 ─◁Runout side B
WNY 1632SLabel side A in parentheses
WNY 1689SLabel side B in parentheses
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-396WFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 26 092First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 17320 / Warner Bros. Records WB-17.320First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8740First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 17320 (T) / Warner Bros. Records WBS 8740First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8740 / Tattoo Records WBS 8740First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records PRO-A-787 / Tattoo Records PRO-A-787First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8740First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8740First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records WBS 87407", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 173207", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-396W7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
12 vinyl pressings of Life Is A Dance are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Japan, Netherlands and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records K 17320 (T).
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K 17320 (T), WBS 8740, PRO-A-787, P-396W) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K 17320 (T) - A1 - EG - STRAWBERRY S-4 and K 17320 (T) - B1 - EG - STRAWBERRY S-2. 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.
