Vinyl pressings
by F.R. David · 1982
Words was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
42 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 19 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.
[SNA logo] 49963 A1 2Runout side A variant 1
[SNA logo] 49963 BRunout side B variant 1
[SNA logo] 49963 A1Runout side A variant 2
[SNA logo] 49963 BRunout side B variant 2
CAR 49963 A2 M1 MPORunout side A, variant 1
CAR 49963 B2Runout side B, variant 1
CAR 49963 A2x M.1 MPORunout side A, variant 2
CAR 49963 ̶A̶ B2xRunout side B, variant 2
49963 43963 A 21Runout side A variant 1
1 43963 B 21Runout side B variant 1
49963 43963 A 21Runout side A variant 2
43̷9963 B 21Runout side B variant 2
[SNA logo] [SNA logo] 49963 AxRunout side A variant 1
[SNA logo] 49963 BxRunout side B variant 1
[SNA logo] [SNA logo] 49963 AIZRunout side A variant 2
[SNA logo] 49963 BRunout side B variant 2
[SNA logo] 49963 A1XRunout side A
MPO CAR 49963 ̷A̷ B2xRunout side B
49963/1Label side A
49963/2Label side B
CAR 248 A-1U-1-1-5 4 JA TAPE ONEA-side runout, variant 1
CAR 248 B-1U-1-1-C 2 JA TAPE ONEB-side runout, variant 1
CAR 248 A-1U-1-3-37 JA TAPE ONEA-side runout, variant 2
CAR 248 B-1U-1-1-77 JA TAPE ONEB-side runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia & New Zealand | Carrere 104031First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Brazil | Carrere 301.7041First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Polydor PDS 2214 / Carrere PDS 2214First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Canada | Carrere DK-5011First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | France | Carrere 49963 / Carrere 49 963First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | France | Carrere 49 963 / Carrere 49963First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | France | Carrere 49963 / Carrere 49 963First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | France | Carrere 49963 / Carrere 49 963First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | France | Carrere 49963 / Carrere 49 963First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Germany | Carrere 2044 225 / Carrere CAR 2089First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Carrere 2141 657First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Germany | Carrere 2044 225 / Carrere CAR 2089First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Germany | Carrere 2044 225 / Carrere CAR 2089First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1982 | Ireland | Carrere CAR 248First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Ireland | Carrere CAR 248First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Italy | DDD 113 4067", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Italy | DDD 613 40612", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | Europe | Mint Records 879 700-77", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1991 | Germany | Mint Records 879 701-112", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1991 | Mexico | DDD SL-723912", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1992 | Spain | Max Music NM582MA12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1992 | Spain | Max Music M582SP7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1999 | France | Inca 305162612", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Peru | Mag 43307", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
56 vinyl pressings of Words are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1982 and 1999.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in France, UK, US, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is Carrere 49963.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 49963, 49 963, CAR 248, CA 101) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, [SNA logo] 49963 A1 2 and [SNA logo] 49963 B. 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.
