Vinyl pressings
by Divinyls · 1985
What A Life! 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.
13 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 8 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.
SMX62417 P2A7Side A, Etched - Variant 1
SMX62418 P2A5Side B, Etched - Variant 1
SMX62417 P2A2Side A, Etched - Variant 2
SMX62417 P2ASide B, Etched - Variant 2
SMX62417 P2A7Side A, Etched - Variant 1
SMX62418 P2A5Side B, Etched - Variant 1
SMX62417 P2A2Side A, Etched - Variant 2
SMX62417 P2ASide B, Etched - Variant 2
CHR 1511 A//2 ▽ 420 VSide A runout, stamped
CHR 1511 B//2 ▽ 420 VSide B runout, stamped
P(MP) BFV 41511 AS CP1Runout A etched, variant 1
P <B+MP> BFV 41511B G1ARunout B etched, variant 1
STERLING TJRunout A stamped, exc. TJ etched, variant 1
BFV 41511 AS CC1 G1Runout A etched, variant 2
BFV 41511 AS PRC 3-11 Qetched, Side A, variant
BFV 41511 1-BS PRC 1-3-2etched, Side B, variant
STERLINGstamped, both sides
BFV 41511 AS PR C 3 - 1-1 15 P
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 | Chrysalis RML 53130 / Chrysalis RML-53130First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Australia | Chrysalis RML 53130 / Chrysalis RML-53130First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Chrysalis CHS-41511First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | France | Chrysalis 826 724-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | Chrysalis 207 638-000First yearLP, Album, Picture Disc, Promo · Promo, Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Promo · Promo, Picture disc |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Chrysalis L 38486First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Portugal | Chrysalis 638715First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1511First yearLP, Advance, Album | LP, Advance, Album |
| 1985 | US | Chrysalis BFV 41511First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Chrysalis FV 41511First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Chrysalis FV 41511LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | US | Chrysalis BFV 41511First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Chrysalis BFV 41511First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Chrysalis BFV 41511First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Chrysalis 207 489LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australasia | Chrysalis CHM321511LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Chrysalis FV 41511LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Chrysalis FV 41511LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Chrysalis FV 41511LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
24 vinyl pressings of What A Life! are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Australia, UK, US, Canada and more. One of them is Chrysalis RML 53130.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RML 53130, CHR 1511, BFV 41511, FV 41511) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SMX62417 P2A7 and SMX62418 P2A5. 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.
