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4 by Foreigner, album cover

Vinyl pressings

4

by Foreigner · 1981

121 pressings34 countriesPop RockRock

4 was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. 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 4

83 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 32 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

July 2, 1981
Label and catalog number
Atlantic SD 16999
Format
LP, Album · Europadisk Press
Runout / matrix

ST-A-814727-B SLM :+: ∆749 "WELCOME CHRISTOPHER" STERLING B̶-̶1̶5̶9̶1̶1̶ ̶ . EDP M1SF1SM10A Side Etch, except Sterling, EDP oval stamps, Variant 1

ST-A-814728-B M1SF1 EDP SM9 "UP TO THE SKY" - ROMAN STERLING SLM :+: ∆749-XB Side Etch, except Sterling, EDP oval stamps, Variant 1

STA-814727-B B-159114 WELCOME CHRISTOPHER STERLING EDP(Encircled) M1SF1 SM6Side A etched, except Sterling & EDP oval stamps, Variant 2

STA-814728-B M1SF1 EDP(Encircled) SM1 B-15912 "UP TO THE SKY"-ROMAN Sterling SLM :+: ∆749-X (MO#2)Side B Etch, except Sterling, EDP oval stamps, Variant 2

Full details of this pressing

US

1981
Label and catalog number
Atlantic SD 16999
Format
LP, Album, Stereo · Specialty Pressing
Runout / matrix

STA • 814727• E SP 0-1 SM5-2 "WELCOME CHRISTOPHER" M1Runout A, variant 2

STA • 814728-B MMSF1 SM4 "UP TO THE SKY"-ROMAN SP 0-2 SM1-2Runout B, variant 2

STA • 814727• E SP 0-1 SM5-1 "WELCOME CHRISTOPHER" M1Runout A, variant 3

STA • 814728-C $M1 5- "UP TO THE SKY" ROMAN 0-1 SM1-4Runout B, variant 3

Full details of this pressing

US

1981
Label and catalog number
Atlantic SD 16999
Format
LP, Album, Stereo · Allied Pressing
Runout / matrix

ST-A-814727-Side A Matrix

ST-A-814728-Side B Matrix

STA-814727-D M1 SF1SM1 "WELCOME CHRISTOPHER" B-15911-D + SLM + ∆749Side A, Variant 1

STA-814728-D B-15912-D "UP TO THE SKY" ROMAN SLM +++ ∆749-X M1SF1SM1Side B, Variant 1

Full details of this pressing

US

1981
Label and catalog number
Atlantic SD 16999
Format
LP, Album · Laminated
Runout / matrix

STA-814727-A (B but A is etched over) Welcome Christopher M2 SF1 SM2Etchings Side 1

STA-814727-BEtchings Side 2

STERLING EDPSide 1 "EDP" Within A Oval

Full details of this pressing

US

1981
Label and catalog number
Atlantic SD 16999
Format
LP, Album, Stereo · Specialty Pressing
Runout / matrix

ST-A-814727-Side A

ST-A-814728-Side B

STA-814727-D [EDP logo] M1 SP "Welcome Christopher" STERLING 0-12M4-2Side A runout, variant 1

STA-814728-B M1SF1 [EDP logo] M10 "Up To The Sky"-Roman 0-4 SM2-1 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1

Full details of this pressing

US

1981
Label and catalog number
Atlantic SD 16999
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

ST A 814727-B Welcome ChristopherSide A Runout Etched

STA-814728-B Up To The Sky - RomanSide B Runout Etched

Sterling (stamped)

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 121 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1980s99 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1981ArgentinaAtlantic 208981First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1981ArgentinaAtlantic 206981First yearLP, Album, Promo · PromoLP, Album, Promo · Promo
1981AustraliaAtlantic SD 16999First yearLP, Album, MisprintLP, Album, Misprint
1981AustraliaAtlantic SD 16999First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1981BrazilAtlantic 20.066First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1981CanadaAtlantic XSD 16999First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1981CanadaAtlantic XSD 16999First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1981CanadaAtlantic SD 16999LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition, Colored vinylLP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition, Colored vinyl
1981CanadaAtlantic XSD 16999First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1981CanadaAtlantic XSD 16999First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1981CanadaAtlantic XSD 16999First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1981CanadaAtlantic XSD 16999First yearLP, Album, MisprintLP, Album, Misprint
1981CanadaAtlantic XSD 16999First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1981CanadaAtlantic XSD 16999First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1981CanadaAtlantic XSD 16999First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
All 99 pressings from the 1980s
2010s5 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2013EuropeMusic On Vinyl MOVLP764 / Atlantic MOVLP764LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
2013EuropeMusic On Vinyl MOVLP764 / Atlantic MOVLP764LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
2013USMobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-343LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo · Limited, NumberedLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo · Limited, Numbered
2015USAtlantic R1 16999 / Rhino Records R1 16999LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
2016USAtlantic R1 16999LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinylLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl
2020s3 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2024USAnalogue Productions APA 069-45 / Atlantic SD 1699912", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing12", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing
2024USAtlantic SD 16999 / Analogue Productions APA 069-4512", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered12", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered
2025USAtlantic 603497818549 / Rhino Records 727358LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
Year unknown14 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?BrazilAtlantic 20.066LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?EuropeAtlantic ATL 50 796 / Atlantic ATL 50796LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?EuropeAtlantic ATL 50 796 / Atlantic ATL 50796LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?EuropeAtlantic ATL 50 796LP, Album, RepressLP, Album, Repress
?EuropeAtlantic R1 16999 / Rhino Records R1 16999LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?EuropeAtlantic ATL 50 796 / Atlantic SD 16999LP, Album, RepressLP, Album, Repress
?EuropeAtlantic ATL 50 796 / Atlantic ATL 50796LP, Album, RepressLP, Album, Repress
?FranceAtlantic ATL 50 796 / Atlantic ATL 50796LP, AlbumLP, Album
?GermanyAtlantic 32 074-7 / Atlantic ATL 50 796-2LP, Album, Club Edition · Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition
?GreeceAtlantic 781486-1LP, AlbumLP, Album
?MexicoAtlantic LWA6043LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?USAtlantic SD 16999LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?USAtlantic SD 16999LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?USAtlantic SD 16999LP, Album, Club Edition · Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition

Tracklist

  1. A1Night Life3:48
  2. A2Juke Box Hero4:18
  3. A3Break It Up4:11
  4. A4Waiting For A Girl Like You4:49
  5. A5Luanne3:25
  6. B1Urgent4:29
  7. B2I'm Gonna Win4:51
  8. B3Woman In Black4:42
  9. B4Girl On The Moon3:49
  10. B5Don't Let Go3:48

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of 4 are there?

121 vinyl pressings of 4 are listed here, from 34 countries, released between 1981 and 2025.

When was 4 first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Bolivia, Germany and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 16999, released July 2, 1981.

How do I tell if my copy of 4 is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 16999, K 50796, WL - 900.003, ATL 50 796) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-814727-B SLM :+: ∆749 "WELCOME CHRISTOPHER" STERLING B̶-̶1̶5̶9̶1̶1̶ ̶ . EDP M1SF1SM10 and ST-A-814728-B M1SF1 EDP SM9 "UP TO THE SKY" - ROMAN STERLING SLM :+: ∆749-X. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is 4 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.

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