Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Presley · 1958
Hard Headed Woman / Don't Ask Me Why was first pressed on vinyl in 1958. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
40 pressings came out in 1958, the album's first year, in 13 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.
J2 PW3603-5S A1 RRunout Variant 1 Side A
J2 PW3610-6S A3 RRunout Variant 1 Side B
J2 PW3603-5S A3 RRunout Variant 2 Side A
J2 PW3610-6S A2 RRunout Variant 2 Side B
J2 PW3610-7SB-side runout, stamped
J2PW-3603Label side A
J2PW-3610Label side B
J2 PW3603-8SJ2 PW3603-8S
J2 PW3603-2SA-side runout, stamped, variant 1
J2 PW3610-2SB-side runout, stamped variant 1
J2 PW3603-1S I A2A-side runout, stamped variant 2
J2 PW3610-2S I A3B-side runout, stamped variant 2
J2 PW3603-7SSide A Stamped, variant 1
J2 PW3610-7SSide B Stamped, variant 1
J2 PW3603-8S HSide A Stamped. variant 2
J2 PW3610-7S HSide B Stamped. variant 2
J2 PW3603-2SA-side runout, stamped
J2 PW3610-2SB-side runout, stamped
J2 PW3603 - 3S A3Side A
J2 PW3610 - 1S A3Side B
J2PW-3603Label side A
J2PW-3610Label side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Australia | RCA 10506First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Brazil | RCA Victor 82-1300First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1958 | Canada | RCA Victor 47-7280First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Canada | RCA Victor 20-7280First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1958 | Canada | RCA Victor 47-7280First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1958 | Canada | RCA Victor 20-7280First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1958 | Denmark | RCA 47-7280First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | Denmark | RCA 47-7280First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Denmark | RCA 47-7280First year7" | 7" |
| 1958 | Denmark | RCA 47-7280First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | Germany | RCA 47-7280First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | Germany | RCA Victor 47-7280First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Germany | RCA 47-7280First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | Germany | RCA 47-7280First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Ireland | RCA ERC 1070First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 10707", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1965 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 10707", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | US | RCA Victor 447-06237", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1971 | France | RCA Victor 497687", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1974 | Mexico | RCA Victor SP-40817", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Mexico | RCA Victor SP-40817", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1977 | US | RCA 447-06237", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1977 | US | RCA 447-06237", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | US | Collectables COL80008 / Collectables DRE119417", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 1997 | US | Collectables COL800087", Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 7", Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 1997 | US | Collectables COL80008 / Collectables DRE119417", Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 7", Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 1997 | US | Collectables COL80008 / Collectables DRE119417", Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 7", Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | US | RCA Victor 47-72807", 45 RPM, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2007 | Europe | Sony BMG Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd. 88697125161 / RCA 45-RCA 107010", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | 10", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Chile | RCA Victor 47-72807", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Egypt | RCA Victor 447-06237", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | France | RCA 45.4277", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Germany | RCA 47-72807", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | Germany | RCA 47-72807", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | Mexico | RCA Victor 76-4537", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Mexico | RCA Victor 76-4537", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | RCA Victor 47-72807", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
65 vinyl pressings of Hard Headed Woman / Don't Ask Me Why are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1958 and 2007.
The earliest pressings are from 1958, in US, UK, South Africa, Germany and more. One of them is RCA Victor 47-7280, released June 1958.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 47-7280, 20-7280, RCA.1070, 45-RCA-1070) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, J2 PW3603-5S A1 R and J2 PW3610-6S A3 R. 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.
