Vinyl pressings
by Christopher Cross · 1981
Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) 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.
43 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 23 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.
WBS-49787 ZCA 1069-S SR2 SP 1-1Variant 1 runout A etched
WBS-49787 XCA 8983 V1-S SR1 SP 1-1Variant 1 runout B etched
WBS-49787 ZCA-1069-S SR3 SP 1-1Variant 2 runout A etched
WBS-49787 XCA-8983 V1-S SR3 SP 1-3Variant 2 runout B etched
WBS-49787 ZCA 1069-S WW1Runout A
WBS-49787 XCA 8983V1-S WW1Runout B
ZCA 1069SA side label
XCA 8983 V1SB side label
WBS-49787 ZCA 1069-S JW1 0Runout A
WBS-49787 XCA 8983V1-S JW1 0Runout B
ZCA 1069SA side label
XCA 8983 V1SB side label
WBS-49787 ZCA-1069-S A1 [Allied "ɑ" logo] R-7883Side A runout, etched; Allied logo is stamped
WBS-49787 XCA-8983 V1-S A1 [Allied "ɑ" logo] R-7884Side B runout, etched; Allied logo is stamped
ZCA 1069SA side label
XCA 8983 V1SB side label
WBS-49787 ZCA-1069-S A1SIDE A
WBS-49787 ZCA-1069S-DJ A1SIDE B
K17847A 6 W023 W-21 STRAWBERRYSide A runout
K17847B-1 W023 6 W-21 STRAWBERRYSide B runout
K 17847 ASide A label
K 17847 BSide B 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 | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49787First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 16.206First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS49787First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS49787First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Colombia | Warner Bros. Records 23(1011)00064First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ecuador | Warner Bros. Records 45-80058First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | France | Warner Bros. Records WB 17 879First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Warner Bros. Records WB 17847First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Warner Bros. Records 17847 / Warner Bros. Records 17 847First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Warner Bros. Records WB 17 847First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 17 847First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Warner Bros. Records K 17847First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | Warner Bros. Records K 17847First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W 17847First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Jamaica | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49787First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 16.2067", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Guatemala | Warner Bros. Records WBS-4977877", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | US | The Movie Channel7", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Promo · Promo, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Promo · Promo, Picture disc |
46 vinyl pressings of Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) are listed here, from 24 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WBS 49787.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBS 49787, WBS49787, K17847, K 17847) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WBS-49787 ZCA 1069-S SR2 SP 1-1 and WBS-49787 XCA 8983 V1-S SR1 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.
