Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1979
Boys Keep Swinging was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 11 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.
BOW 2 A-1 (Lyre symbol) YOUR BICAMERAL MIND A2W *W*Runout [etched] side A [Variant 1]
BOW 2 B-1 (Lyre symbol) MIND YOUR BICAMERAL A3IRunout [etched] side B [Variant 1]
BOW-2-A-1 (Lyre symbol) YOUR BICAMERAL MIND. A2S 'W'Runout [etched] side A [Variant 2]
BOW-2 (PB-11585) B-2 (Lyre symbol) MIND YOUR BICAMERAL 'W' A1JRunout [etched] side B [Variant 2]
BOW-2-A-1 [Utopia lyre symbol] YOUR BICAMERAL MIND. 'W' A1JSide A runout, variant 1
BOW-2-B-1 A3I [Utopia lyre symbol] MIND YOUR BICAMERAL.Side B runout, variant 1
BOW 2 PB 15 585-A2 [Utopia lyre symbol] YOUR BICAMERAL MIND 'W' A4LSide A runout, variant 2
BOW 2 PB 15 585-B2 [Utopia lyre symbol] MIND YOUR BICAMERAL 'W' A2AAGSide B runout, variant 2
BOW-2-A-1 Symbol harp YOUR BICAMERAL MINDSide A runout, etched
BOW-2-B-1 Symbol harp MIND YOUR BICAMERALSide B runout, etched
(PB 11 585)Side A & B Label
BOW 2 ASide A Label
PB-1585-A-39753-1-Y HNRunout side A, etched
PB-1585-B-39754-1-Y HNRunout side B, etched
PB-1585Label side A
PB-1585Label side B
103371-A A10 DB ATA Side Etched
103371-B A1 DB ATB Side Etched
PB 11585-A- TXSide A etched
PB-11585-B TXSide B etched
PB-11585-ASide A label
PB-11585-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | RCA Victor 103371First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Canada | RCA PB-11585First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | France | RCA PB 1585First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Germany | RCA PB 1585 / RCA Victor PB 1585First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Italy | RCA PB 1585 / RCA Victor PB 1585First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | RCA PB 1585 / RCA Victor PB 1585First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | RCA SS-3215First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | RCA SS-3215First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | RCA Victor PD-1593First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | RCA Victor PB-1585First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | RCA Victor PD-1593First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 103371First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Portugal | RCA Victor PB-1585First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Spain | RCA Victor PB-1585First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Spain | RCAFirst year7", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Promo · Promo, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Promo · Promo, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe | Parlophone DBBOYS 40 / Parlophone 01902954790777", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Not On Label BOW 27", White Label | 7", White Label |
24 vinyl pressings of Boys Keep Swinging are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1979 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Netherlands, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is RCA Victor BOW 2, released April 27, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BOW 2, PB-1585, 103371, PB-11585) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BOW 2 A-1 (Lyre symbol) YOUR BICAMERAL MIND A2W *W* and BOW 2 B-1 (Lyre symbol) MIND YOUR BICAMERAL A3I. 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.
