Vinyl pressings
by Dionne Warwick · 1985
Friends was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 16 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.
AL8-8398-SA RCA 6 Ⅰ A1ORunout side A - Variant 1
AL8-8398-SB RCA 5 Ⅰ A1SRunout side B - Variant 1
AL8-8398-SA RCA 6 Ⅰ A2CRunout side A - Variant 2
AL8-8398-SB RCA 6 Ⅰ A3FRunout side B - Variant 2
AL8-8398-SA ES2 EMWLabel side A
AL8-8398-SB ES2 EMWLabel side B
V 〄Ⓑ AL8-8398SA 1 1 1 ⁘ L NRunout side A
AL8-8398SB 1 2 1 ⁘ ⁘Runout side B
AL8-8398 SASide A label
AL8-8398 SBSide B label
AL8-8398 A G- (CR)Side A runout
AL8-8398 B G• (CR)Side B runout
AL8-8398-ASide A label
AL8-8398-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Arista ASTC 178 / Arista L 38510First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Barbados | Arista AL8-8398First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Arista AL8-8398First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Arista AL 8-8398LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Colombia | Sonolux AL8-8398First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Arista 207 438First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Arista 207 438First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | Arista 062-VG 60033First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Guatemala | Arista AL8-8398First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | Arista 207 438First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Italy | Arista 207 438First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Mexico | Arista LA-665First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Panama | Arista AL8-8398First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Portugal | Arista 03.207438.50First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Arista AL8-8398First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australasia | Arista SPLP 1099LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Brazil | Arista 1048349 / Arista 104.8349LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
48 vinyl pressings of Friends are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1985 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Japan, Australia, Barbados and more. One of them is Arista AL8-8398.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL8-8398, 28RS-9, ASTC 178, 207 438) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL8-8398-SA RCA 6 Ⅰ A1O and AL8-8398-SB RCA 5 Ⅰ A1S. 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.
