US
1989- Label and catalog number
- Arista AD1-9918Arista ADI-9918
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM
- Runout / matrix
AD1-9918-SA-" E-1 Ɛmw #06251 MFA-Side Runout Etching
ADI-9918-SB-E-1 Ɛmw #06251X MFB-Side Runout Etching
FULLERSOUNDRunout Stamp Each Side
ExposéTell Me Why
Vinyl pressings
Tell Me Why
by Exposé · 1989
18 pressings8 countriesFreestyleHouseSynth-popElectronic
Tell Me Why was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Tell Me Why
12 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 7 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.
US
1989- Label and catalog number
- Arista AS1-9916
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
AS1-9916-SA-SP1 MFSide A Etched
AS1-9916-SB-SP1 MFSide B Etched
AS1-9916-SA-SP1 I - I MFSide A Etched, Variant 1
AS1-9916-SB-SP1 I - I MFSide B Etched, Variant 1
US
1989- Label and catalog number
- Arista AD1-9918Arista ADI-9918
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM
- Runout / matrix
ADI-9918-SA- SP∙2 1-1 MFA-Side Runout Etching
ADI-9918-SB -SP-1 1-1 MFB-Side Runout Etching
FULLERSOUND SRCRunout Stamp Each Side
UK
1989- Label and catalog number
- Arista 112 928DJ
- Format
- 7", Promo
Canada
1989- Label and catalog number
- Arista AD1-9918
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single
Canada
1989- Label and catalog number
- Arista AS1-9916
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 18 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s12 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Canada | Arista AD1-9918First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | Canada | Arista AS1-9916First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Costa Rica | Arista 7005050First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | Arista 612 928First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | Europe | Arista 112 928First year7" | 7" |
| 1989 | Europe | Arista 112 928First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Germany | Not On Label XP-1First year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1989 | Mexico | Arista RX-809First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | Arista 112 928DJFirst year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | US | Arista AD1-9918 / Arista ADI-9918First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1989 | US | Arista AS1-9916First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | US | Arista AD1-9918 / Arista ADI-9918First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
1990s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Arista 612 92812" | 12" |
| 1990 | UK | Arista 112 9287", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | Japan | Arista PRTD-30907", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
2000s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | UK | S12 S12DJ-07812" | 12" |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Not On Label XP 112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Arista ADP 994212", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label |
Tracklist
- A1Tell Me Why (No Name Mix - Part 1 (Dub) / Part 2 (Vocals))10:22
- A2Let Me Down Easy4:50
- B1Tell Me Why (Groovehouse Mix)7:37
- B2Tell Me Why (Extended Remix)6:40
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Tell Me Why are there?
18 vinyl pressings of Tell Me Why are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1989 and 2002.
When was Tell Me Why first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in US, UK, Canada, Costa Rica and more. One of them is Arista AD1-9918.
How do I tell if my copy of Tell Me Why is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AD1-9918, AS1-9916, 112 928DJ, 7005050) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AD1-9918-SA-" E-1 Ɛmw #06251 MF and ADI-9918-SB-E-1 Ɛmw #06251X MF. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Tell Me Why on vinyl worth?
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.
