Vinyl pressings
by Culture Club · 1984
The War Song 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.
71 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 27 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.
VS 694 A-2U-1-1 4 JM HERO OF OUR TIMESRunout side A variant 1
VS 694 B-1U-1-1 9 timtom : cbsRunout side B variant 1
VS 694 A-2U-1- 3 -17 JM HERO OF OUR TIMESRunout side A variant 2
VS 694 B-1U-1-1-16 timtom : cbsRunout side B variant 2
VS 694 A-2U-1-1 4A-Side Run-out, Stamped - Variant 1
VS 694 B-1U-1-1 9B-Side Run-out, Stamped - variant 1
VS 694 A-2U-1-3-1A-Side Run-out, Stamped - Variant 2
VS 694 B-2U-1-1-1B-Side Run-out, Stamped - Variant 2
VS 694 A-1U-1-1-5 JM HERO OF OUR TIMESA-side run-out, stamped, variant 1, 'JM HERO OF OUR TIMES' is etched
VS 694 B-2U-1-1-5 timtom : cbsB-side run-out, stamped, variant 1, 'timtom : cbs' is etched
VS 694 A-2U-1-3-1 JM HERO OF OUR TIMESA-side run-out, stamped, variant 2. 'JM HERO OF OUR TIMES' is etched
VS 694 B-2U-1-1-1 timtom : cbsB-side run-out, stamped, variant 2, 'timtom : cbs' is etched
VS 69412 A-6U-1-1 Timtom:cbsRunout side 1, stamped (last "1" is reversed) ["Timtom:cbs" is etched]
VS 69412 B-5U-1-1Runout side 2, stamped (last "1" is reversed)
VS 694-1 2ASide 1 label
VS 694-1 2BSide 2 label
VS694 A-1U-1- DAMONT JM HERO OF OUR TIMESA Side
VS 694 B-1U-1- - timtom : cbs DAMONTB Side
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 | Argentina | Virgin S-0451First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin VS 694-12 / Virgin VS 69412First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin VS 694First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin VS 694First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Brazil | RCA 101.8300 / Virgin 101.8300First year7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1984 | Canada | Virgin VSX 1242First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Virgin VS 1242First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Virgin VS1242DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Colombia | Virgin 05(1311)52317First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Ecuador | RCA 123-1031First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Ecuador | RCA 123-1031First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | El Salvador | Virgin VI-011First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 106 852 / Virgin 106 852-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 106 859 / Virgin 106 859-100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 106 882 / Virgin 106 882-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
74 vinyl pressings of The War Song are listed here, from 28 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, UK & Ireland, Philippines and more. One of them is Virgin VS 694, released September 24, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 694, VS 694-12, VSY 694, 34 04638) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 694 A-2U-1-1 4 JM HERO OF OUR TIMES and VS 694 B-1U-1-1 9 timtom : cbs. 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.
