Vinyl pressings
by Exile · 1979
How Could This Go Wrong 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 15 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.
62 636 A-1Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
62 636 B-1Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
62 636 A - 1Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
62 636 B - 2Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
62 636-Y-Z-A-1Runout side A, stamped
62 636-Y-Z-B-1Runout side B, stamped
12YRAK 293 A-1 BLAIRS R 1Side A runout
12Y̶ YRAK 293 B-1 A 1Side B runout
YRAK 293 A-1Runout (Stamped) Side A
YRAK 293 B-1Runout (Stamped) Side B
XXX0879S RE-1Label A Side
WXX0884SLabel B Side
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 | RAK ED-25First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Australia | RAK RAK-11928First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Barbados | EMI RAK 293First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Belgium | RAK 4C006-62636 / RAK 4C 006-62636First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Benelux | RAK 1A 006-62636First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8796First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Ecuador | Odeon 102-0137First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | France | RAK 2C008-62636 / RAK 2C 008-62.636First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | RAK SP 1071First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Germany | RAK 1 C 006-62 636 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-62 636First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | RAK 1C 052-62 636 YZ / EMI Electrola 1C 052-62 636 YZFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Japan | RAK PRP-8117First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | RAK 5C K052Z-62636First year12" | 12" |
| 1979 | Netherlands | RAK 5C 006-62636First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | New Zealand | RAK RAK 293First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
26 vinyl pressings of How Could This Go Wrong are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Germany, UK, US, Japan and more. One of them is RAK 1 C 006-62 636.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1 C 006-62 636, 1C 052-62 636 YZ, 12 RAK 293, RAK 293) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 62 636 A-1 and 62 636 B-1. 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.
