Vinyl pressings
by Diana Ross · 1981
Why Do Fools Fall In Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
32 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 18 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.
86442-A1Runout side A, variant 1
86442-B1Runout side B, variant 1
86442-A1 1Runout side A, variant 2
86442-B1 1Runout side B, variant 2
86442-A1[-Z] ΛRunout, Side A, Stamped, Except [Etched]
86442-B1[-Z]Runout, Side B, Stamped, Except [Etched]
CL 226 A-1U 58 4 GILL X BILBO TA1PE 3A-side runout
CL 226 B-2 50 2B-side runout
CL 226AA-side label
CL 226BB-side label
CL 226 A-2 MJ PENTHOUSE 62 1A-side runout
CL 226 B-1U 72 1 4GILLx BILBO TA1PEB-side runout
CL 226 A-2 MJ PENTHOUSE G8 1Runout side A
CL 226 B-1U 107 4GILLX 3 BILBO TA1PERunout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | Capitol Records 26734First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-607First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | RCA PB-12349First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Chile | Capitol Records 21524 / Capitol Records 32C 008-86442First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Colombia | Capitol Records 446-1106First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1981 | France | Pathé Marconi EMI 2C 008 86442First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 006-86 442 / Capitol Records 1 C 006-86 442First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C K 052-86 442 Z / EMI Electrola 1C K 052-86 442 ZFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | Capitol Records, Inc. CL 226First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Italy | Capitol Records 3C 006-86442 / Capitol Records 3C 006 86442First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-17190First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Japan | Capitol Records PRP-8196First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-17190First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Capitol Records 1A 006-86442First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Capitol Records CP 626First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
32 vinyl pressings of Why Do Fools Fall In Love are listed here, from 18 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Germany, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Capitol Records 1C 006-86 442.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1C 006-86 442, 1C K 052-86 442 Z, CL 226, PB-12349) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 86442-A1 and 86442-B1. 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.
