Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Costello & The Attractions · 1979
Accidents Will Happen 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.
26 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.
PORKY PRIME CUTS WILL HAPPEN S-4 ADA 35 A2Variant 1: Runout side A
PECKO S-6 ADA 35 B2Variant 1: Runout side B
PORKY PRIME CUTS WILL HAPPEN S-3 ADA 35 A2 1 EGVariant 2: Runout side A
PECKO S-3 ADA 35 B2 1 EGVariant 2: Runout side B
PORKY PRIME CUTS WILL HAPPEN S-4 ADA 35 A2Runout groove etching side A
PECKO S-6 ADA 35 B2Runout groove etching side B
ADA 35 A*Side A label
ADA 35 B*Side B label
PORKY PRIME CUTS WILL HAPPEN S-4 ADA 35 A2A-side runout - variant 1
PECKO S-6 ADA 35 B2B-side runout - variant 1
ADA 35 A3 PORKY PRIME CUTS WILL HAPPENA-side runout - variant 2
ADA 35 B-3 PECKOB-side runout - variant 2
PORKY PRIME CUTS WILL HAPPEN S-4 ADA 35 A2Variant 1: Runout, A
PECKO S-6 ADA 35 B2Variant 1: Runout, B
ADA-35-A-4 A PORKY PRIME CUTVariant 2: Runout, A
ADA-35-B-4 PECKOVariant 2: Runout, B
ADA 35 A*Side 1
ADA 35 B*Side 2
PORKY PRIME CUTS WILL HAPPEN S-4 ADA 35 A2Run Out Groove Etching Side 1
PECKO S-6 ADA 35 B2Run Out Groove Etching Side 2
PORKY PRIME CUTS WILL HAPPEN S-4 ADA 35 A2 EGSide A runout, etched, variant 1
PECKO S-6 ADA 35 B2 EGSide B runout, etched, variant 1
PORKY PRIME CUTS WILL HAPPEN S-21 ADA 35 A2 EGSide A runout, etched, variant 2
PECKO S-18 ADA 35 B2 EGSide B runout, etched, 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 | Radar Records ADA 35First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Columbia 3-10919First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | Radar Records 17 332First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | France | Warner Bros. Records 17 332First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Japan | Radar Records P-444FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Radar Records ADA 35First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Spain | Radar Records 45-1884 / Hispavox 45-1884 (SN)First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Radar Records ADA 357", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1979 | UK | Radar Records ADA 35First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia 3-10919First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1979 | US | Columbia 3-10919First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia 3-10919First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia 3-10919First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia 3-10919First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | US | Columbia 3-10919First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
27 vinyl pressings of Accidents Will Happen are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Netherlands, Germany and more. One of them is Radar Records ADA 35, released May 4, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ADA 35, 3-10919, WB.17.393, RAD 17 393) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PORKY PRIME CUTS WILL HAPPEN S-4 ADA 35 A2 and PECKO S-6 ADA 35 B2. 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.
