Vinyl pressings
by Eagles · 1979
I Can't Tell You Why 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.
14 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 10 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.
ES 46608 A 3AR R-5257-1 [STERLING]Runout side A, etched [stamped]
ES 46608 B 3AR R-5258-1 [STERLING]Runout side B, etched [stamped]
E-46608-ASide A, label
E-46608-BSide B, label
EM 46608 A SP SP STERLING 1-1Side A runout
ES 46608 A 2 SP SP STERLING 1-1Side B runout
E-46608-ASide A and B labels
K 12418 A-1 C 1 DRunout side A, etched
K 12418 B-1 F 1 DRunout side B, etched
STRAWBERRY•Runout both sides, stamped
K 12418 ALabel side A
E-46608-A-1A-2HZ:Runout side A, variant 1
E-46608-B-1A-2HZ: DM 3Runout side B, variant 1
E-46608-A-1A-2HZ:Runout side A, variant 2
E-46608-B-1A-2HZ: DM 7Runout side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Asylum Records E 46608First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Canada | Asylum Records E-46608First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Asylum Records E-46608First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Ecuador | Elektra 45-85009First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Ecuador | Elektra 45-85009First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | France | Asylum Records 12 418First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | France | Asylum Records 12 4187", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Asylum Records AS 12.418 / Asylum Records AS.12.418First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Elektra E46 608First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Peru | Elektra F-ELK 0046608.3First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Philippines | Asylum Records AS-4537 / Asylum Records E-46608First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Asylum Records K 12418 / Asylum Records E-46608First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | US | Asylum Records E-46608-AFirst year7", Promo, Mono, Stereo, 45 RPM · Promo, Mono | 7", Promo, Mono, Stereo, 45 RPM · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | US | Asylum Records E-46608First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | US | Asylum Records E-46608First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Brazil | Asylum Records 11.0277", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Asylum Records E 46 6087", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Spain | Asylum Records 45-1965 / Hispavox 45-1965 (SN)7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Japan | Asylum Records P-520Y7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Asylum Records P-520Y7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Asylum Records E-466087", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Asylum Records AS 124187", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Asylum Records AS 12.418 / Asylum Records AS. 12.4187", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Asylum Records AS 12.418 / Asylum Records AS. 12.4187", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Asylum Records AS 12.418 / Asylum Records AS. 12.4187", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of I Can't Tell You Why are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Asylum Records E-46608.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use E-46608, E-46608-A, K 12418, E 46608) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ES 46608 A 3AR R-5257-1 [STERLING] and ES 46608 B 3AR R-5258-1 [STERLING]. 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.
