Vinyl pressings
by Eddie Rabbitt · 1981
Step By Step 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.
22 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 17 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.
5E-532-A-1-SH-SP [Artisan logo] GF + SLM △783 SP YACAKSide A variant 1
5E-532-B-SH-SP [Artisan logo] GF I KNOW THAT SLM + △783-XSide B variant 1
5E-532-A-1-SH-SP [Artisan logo] GF + SLM O-ISM3-3 △783 SP YACAKSide A variant 2
5E-532-B-SH-SP O-ISM2-2 [Artisan logo] GF SP I KNOW THAT + SLM + △783-XSide B variant 2
5E-532A-2-SH-AR [Artisan Sound Logo] GF ꔰ SLM ꔰꔰꔰꔰ △783 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-15947-A2 YACAKRunout A
[Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-51948-B2 5E-532-B-2-SH-AR [Artisan Sound Logo] I KNOW THAT ꔰ SLM ꔰ △783-XRunout B
5E-532-ALabel A
5E-532-BLabel B
5E 532-A-1F columbia nyRunout area side A
5E -532B-1CRunout area side B
6302152 A//2v E420 1 1 1 RCSide 1 Matrix / Runout
6302152 B//1v E420 1 1 1Side 2 Matrix / Runout
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 | Australasia | Mercury 6302 152First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | Mercury 6302 152First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra X5E-532First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra X5E 532First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Mercury 6302 152First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | India | Mercury 6302 152First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Ireland | Mercury 6302 152First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Mercury 6302 152First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-29First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Mercury 6302 152First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Elektra 5E-532First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Portugal | Mercury 6302 152First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | Elektra STAR5211First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Korea | Mercury 6302 152 / Sung Eum Limited SEL 100 511First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Mercury 6302 152 / Mercury 63 02 152First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Jamaica | Mercury 1 6302 152 1LP | LP |
27 vinyl pressings of Step By Step are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australasia, Brazil and more. One of them is Elektra 5E-532.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5E-532, 6302 152, X5E-532, X5E 532) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5E-532-A-1-SH-SP [Artisan logo] GF + SLM △783 SP YACAK and 5E-532-B-SH-SP [Artisan logo] GF I KNOW THAT SLM + △783-X. 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.
