Vinyl pressings
by Foreigner · 1979
Head Games 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.
18 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 9 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.
STA-37746-2 1-1 SP STERLINGSide A, etched (STERLING stamped)
1-2 STA-37511-1 SP STERLINGSide B, etched (STERLING stamped)
ST-A-37746 SPLabel A
ST-A-37511 SPLabel B
STA-37746-4 Δ106474A Side Runout, etched
STA-37511-4 Δ106475B Side Runout, etched
STERLINGBoth Sides Runout, stamped
ST-A-37746 MOA Side Label
STA-37746-4 Δ106474A Side Runout, etched
STA-37511-3 Δ106475B Side Runout, etched
STERLINGBoth Sides Runout, stamped
ST-A-37746 MOA Side Label
STA-37746-1 SP 1-1 STERLINGRunout stereo side
A-37746-1 SP STERLING 1-1Runout mono side
ST-A-37746 SPLabel stereo side
A-37746 SPLabel mono side
STA-37746-4 △106474 STERLINGRunout side A
A-37746-2 △106474 STERLINGRunout side B
ST-A-37746 MOLabel side A
A-37746 MOLabel side B
ST-A-37746 SPLabel Stereo side
A-37746 SPLabel Mono 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 | Atlantic 45 3633First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Canada | Atlantic AT-3633First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Canada | Atlantic AT-3633First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 11 417First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Not On LabelFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, White Label, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, White Label, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Italy | Atlantic W 11402First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Italy | Atlantic W 11402First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | Atlantic P-512AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Atlantic P-512AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Atlantic 45 3633First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | South Africa | Atlantic ATS 762 / Atlantic MS 5279XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Atlantic 3633First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | US | Atlantic 3633First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Atlantic 3633First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Atlantic 3633First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Chile | Atlantic 36337", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Peru | Atlantic F - ALT 0003633.97", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Atlantic K 11417 / Atlantic 36337", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
21 vinyl pressings of Head Games are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, Philippines, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Atlantic 3633, released October 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3633, ATR-0126, 45 3633, AT-3633) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STA-37746-2 1-1 SP STERLING and 1-2 STA-37511-1 SP STERLING. 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.
