US
1979- Label and catalog number
- Motown M8-923M1Motown M7-923R1
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
M8-923 RIA-18ARunout etchings A-side
M8 923 RI-B-18ARunout etchings B-side
M8-923RIA-18BRunout A-side, variant 1
M8-923M1-ALabel A-side
Vinyl pressings
The Boss
by Diana Ross · 1979
49 pressings24 countriesSoulDiscoFunk / Soul
The Boss 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 The Boss
34 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 23 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
- Motown M8-923M1
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
M8-923R1-A-13C AADRunout, Side A Etched [Variant 1]
M8-923R1-B-13C AADRunout, Side B Etched [Variant 1]
M8-923R1-A-13D AADRunout, Side A Etched [Variant 2]
M8-923R1-B-13D AADRunout, Side B Etched [Variant 2]
US
1979- Label and catalog number
- Motown M7-923R1Motown M8-923 M1
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
M8-923M1-AMatrix Side A
M8-923M1-BMatrix Side B
M8 923R1A-12ARunout side A, variant 1
M8 923 RI B-12ARunout side B, variant 1
US
1979- Label and catalog number
- Motown M8-923M1
- Format
- LP, Album
US
1979- Label and catalog number
- Motown M8-923M1
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
M8-923R1-A-18AEtched side A
M8 923R1-B-18AEtched side B
M8-923M1-ASide A label
M8-923M1-BSide B label
US
1979- Label and catalog number
- Motown M8-923M1
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo · Gold
- Runout / matrix
M8-923-R1A-13D AADRunout Side A, Etched
M8-923R1-B-13-C AADRunout Side B, Etched
M8-923M1-AMatrix Side A, On Label
M8-923M1-BMatrix Side B, On Label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 49 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s37 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | Motown SUP 80026First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Australia | Motown M8-923First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | Motown M8-923 / Motown M7-923First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | Motown 504.7075First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Motown M7-923S2 / Motown M7-923KFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Motown M8-923M1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1979 | Canada | Motown M7-923S2First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Colombia | Motown MW 4150First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Motown 2C 068-62895First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Motown 1C 064-62 895First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | EMI Electrola 064-62 895LP, Advance, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Advance, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Greece | Motown 14C 062-62895First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Motown 3C 064 - 62895First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Motown VIP-6680First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Motown VIP-6680First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
1980s8 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Motown 7C 062-62895LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1981 | UK | Motown STMS 5049LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | Motown M5-198V1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | Motown M5-198V1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | Motown M5-198V1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Germany | Motown 230·15·094LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Motown WL72095LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Spain | Motown SNL1-60184LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
2010s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Europe | Motown 0600753729441 / Culture Factory 782699LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
Year unknown3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Motown 523016LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Motown 257·15·032 / Motown 230·15·094LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Motown ORL 8641LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Tracklist
- A1No One Gets The Prize4:37
- A2I Ain't Been Licked4:00
- A3All For One4:13
- A4The Boss3:42
- B1Once In The Morning4:49
- B2It's My House4:29
- B3Sparkle5:19
- B4I'm In The World3:56
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Boss are there?
49 vinyl pressings of The Boss are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1979 and 2017.
When was The Boss first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Motown M8-923M1.
How do I tell if my copy of The Boss is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M8-923M1, M7-923R1, STML 12118, M8-923) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M8-923 RIA-18A and M8 923 RI-B-18A. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Boss 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.
