Vinyl pressings
by Dan Hartman · 1984
I Can Dream About You / Blue Shadows 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.
24 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 15 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.
MC-14559-PL 2 Precision ⧈-G-⧈Runout A, variant 1
MC-14302-PL 1 Precision ⧈-G-⧈Runout B, variant 1
MC-14559-PL 2 ⧈-G-⧈ PrecisionRunout A, variant 2
MC-14302-PL-2 Precision ⧈-G-⧈Runout B, variant 2
MC-14559-PL3 ◈-P-◈ PRECISIONEtched Side A, except ◈-P-◈ stamped
MC-14302-PL3 PRECISION ◈-P-◈Etched Side B, except ◈-P-◈ stamped
MC 15409E-PL3Runout, Side A, Variant 1
MC 1455p-PL3Runout, Side B, Variant 1
MC 15409E-PL3 ◈-P-◈ PrecisionRunout, Side A, Variant 2, etched except ◈-P-◈, stamped
MC 15409-PL3 ◈-P-◈ PrecisionRunout, Side B, Variant 2, etched except ◈-P-◈, stamped
MCA-895-A1 JA 2ARunout side A
MCA-895-B1 ARunout side B
M CAT- 895 A-1 JASide A runout groove, etched
M CAT- 895 B-1 JASide B runout groove, etched
(MCAT 895-A)Side A label
(MCAT 895-B)Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | MCA Records 7-52378First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-52378First year7" | 7" |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-52378First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Europe | MCA Records 259 488-7 / MCA Records MCA-52378First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | MCA Records 259488-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Guatemala | MCA Records 229259 4887First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Italy | MCA Records 25 9488-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | MCA Records Promo 204 / WEA Promo 204First year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox |
| 1984 | Jamaica | MCA Records MCA-52378First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Japan | MCA Records VIMX-1566First year7" | 7" |
| 1984 | Japan | MCA Records VIMX-1566First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Mexico | MCA Records SCA-132First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | New Zealand | MCA Records 752378First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | South Africa | MCA Records PD 2262First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | South Africa | MCA Records PD 2274First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
25 vinyl pressings of I Can Dream About You / Blue Shadows are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-52378.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-52378, MCA 895, MCAT 895, 7-52378) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC-14559-PL 2 Precision ⧈-G-⧈ and MC-14302-PL 1 Precision ⧈-G-⧈. 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.
