Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1983
Let's Dance was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
65 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 25 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.
EA 152 A-1-1-1-G1Runout side A, variant 1
EA 152 B-1-1-4-1Runout side B, variant 1
EA 152 A-1-1-3-8Runout side A, variant 2
EA 152 B-1-1-3-CRunout side B, variant 2
12 EA 152 A-1-1-3-Side A, runout groove, stamped, Variant 1,
12 EA 152 B-1-1-1 X1Side B, runout groove, stamped, Variant 1,
12 EA 152 A-1-1-1-Side A, runout groove, stamped, Variant 2,
12 EA 152 B-1-1-1-Side B, runout groove, stamped, Variant 2 & 3,
EA 152 A-1-1-2-1CRunout side A, variant 1
EA 152 B-2-1-1 13Runout side B, variant 1
EA 152 A-1-1-3-12Runout side A, variant 2
EA 152 B-3-1-1 14Runout side B, variant 2
EA 152 A -1 - 1 - 349Side A
EA 152 B - 1 - 1 - 59Side B
EA 152 A-1-1-3-40Side A
EA 152 B-2-1-1-14Side B
12 EA 152 A-1-1-3·Side A Runout, Stamped, Variant 1
12 EA 152 B-1-1-2Side B Runout, Stamped, Variant 1
12 EA 152 A-1-1-1-Side A Runout, Stamped, Variant 2
12 EA 152 B-1-1-1-Side B Runout, Stamped, Variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Argentina | EMI America 1845First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Argentina | EMI America 1845First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Australia | EMI America AMI-958First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Australia | EMI America ED-54 / EMI America ED-54First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Australia | EMI America ED-54 / EMI America ED-54First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Australia | EMI America AMI-958First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Barbados | EMI America B-8158First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Bolivia | EMI International BO - 1436First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Brazil | EMI America SDP-898First year12", Maxi-Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", Maxi-Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Brazil | EMI America 31C 006 86660First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | EMI America 75035First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | EMI America B 8158 / EMI America B-8158First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | EMI America B 8158First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Europe | EMI America 1C K 052-86 660 ZFirst year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | EMI America 1A 006-86660First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | France | EMI USA SP 14467", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1990 | France | EMI USA SP 144712", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Unknown | Not On Label (David Bowie) letsdance112", Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 12", Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2000 | UK | Not On Label (David Bowie) Red112", Unofficial Release, Single Sided · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release, Single Sided · Unofficial |
| 2002 | US | Not On Label (David Bowie)12", Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial |
| 2003 | US | Power Productions PP00112", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 2004 | Germany | Not On Label (Electrofunk Self-released) ELECTROFUNK00212", Unofficial Release, Single Sided · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release, Single Sided · Unofficial |
| 2007 | UK | Piss Off LOST00112", Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited | 12", Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited |
| 2007 | US | EMI America 780512", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2008 | Unknown | Not On Label (David Bowie) BOWBOOT001 / Not On Label (Missy Elliott) BOWBOOT00112", Unofficial Release, Single Sided · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release, Single Sided · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Australia | Parlophone DBISA20157", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | UK | EMI America 780512", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | EMI America AMI-9587", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Poland | Morgot Records 029Flexi-disc, 6½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Card Backed, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | Flexi-disc, 6½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Card Backed, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Not On Label (David Bowie) CML-LAW-DANCE12", 45 RPM, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo |
83 vinyl pressings of Let's Dance are listed here, from 26 countries, released between 1983 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Mexico, Guatemala and more. One of them is EMI America EA 152, released April 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EA 152, 12EA 152, 7805, B-8158) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EA 152 A-1-1-1-G1 and EA 152 B-1-1-4-1. 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.
