US
1979- Label and catalog number
- Warner Bros. Records WBS 49028
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM
- Runout / matrix
WBS 49028 XCA 8596-S-LW1A Runout
WBS 49028 XCA 8609-S-LW1B Runout
DevoSecret Agent Man
Vinyl pressings
Secret Agent Man
by Devo · 1979
13 pressings6 countriesNew WaveSynth-popElectronicRock
Secret Agent Man 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Secret Agent Man
13 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 6 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.
US
1979- Label and catalog number
- Warner Bros. Records WBS 49028
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Winchester
- Runout / matrix
WBS-49028 XCA-8596-S-WW1 ∗Side A Runout (Etched)
WBS-49028 XCA-8609-S-WW1 ∗Side B Runout (Etched)
US
1979- Label and catalog number
- Warner Bros. Records WBS 49028
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono
- Runout / matrix
WBS-49028 XCA-8596-S-LW1 • 1runout A - stereo
WBS-49028 XCA-8596-DJ-LW1 • ✼runout B - mono
UK
August 3, 1979- Label and catalog number
- Virgin VS 280
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM
- Runout / matrix
VS-280 A1 B [Lyre Symbol] RATRunout A etched / stamped / etched, variant 1
VS-280 B1 ∴ [Lyre Symbol] WILLARDRunout B etched / stamped / etched, variant 1
VS-280-A-1 8 B RAT [Lyre Symbol]Runout A etched / 8 B stamped / variant 2
VS-280-B-1 0 ∴ WILLARD [Lyre Symbol]Runout B etched / 0 ∴ stamped / variant 2
UK
August 3, 1979- Label and catalog number
- Virgin VS 280
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM
- Runout / matrix
VS-280 A1 [Lyre Symbol] RAT
VS-280 B1 [Lyre Symbol] WILLARD
UK
August 3, 1979- Label and catalog number
- Virgin VS 280
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM · Large Hole
- Runout / matrix
VS-280 A1 B [Lyre Symbol] RATRunout A etched / stamped / etched, variant 1
VS-280 B1 ∴ [Lyre Symbol] WILLARDRunout B etched / stamped / etched, variant 1
VS-280-A-1 8 B RAT [Lyre Symbol]Runout A etched / 8 B stamped / variant 2
VS-280-B-1 0 ∴ WILLARD [Lyre Symbol]Runout B etched / 0 ∴ stamped / variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 13 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s13 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | France | Virgin 2097 811First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Virgin 100 861 / Virgin 100 861-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-430WFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49028First year7" | 7" |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 280First year7", 45 RPM, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1979 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49028First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49028First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49028First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-430WFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 280First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 280First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 280First year7", 45 RPM, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Misprint |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 280First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
Tracklist
- ASecret Agent Man3:32
- BRed Eye2:49
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Secret Agent Man are there?
13 vinyl pressings of Secret Agent Man are listed here, from 6 countries.
When was Secret Agent Man first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Japan, France and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WBS 49028.
How do I tell if my copy of Secret Agent Man is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBS 49028, VS 280, P-430W, 2097 811) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WBS 49028 XCA 8596-S-LW1 and WBS 49028 XCA 8609-S-LW1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Secret Agent Man on vinyl worth?
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.
