Vinyl pressings
by Foreigner · 1984
I Want To Know What Love Is was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
63 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 18 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 47258-1 STERLING S̷T̷A̷ ̷4̷7̷2̷5̷8̷-̷1̷ [SRC logo] S̷T̷A̷ ̷4̷7̷2̷5̷8̷ -1 1-1Runout A, variant 1
STA-47259-2 1-1 STERLINGRunout B, variant 1
[SRC logo] STA·47258 · 2 1-1 STERLINGRunout A, variant 2
[SRC logo] STA·47259-3 1-1 STERLINGRunout B, variant 2
ST-A-47258-ARLabel A
ST-A-47259-ARLabel B
STA-47258-3 1-2Side A Runout Etched
STA-47259-1 1-2Side B Runout Etched
STA-47258-3 1-2 0Side A Runout Etched, Variant 1
STA-47259-1 1-2 0Side B Runout Etched, Variant 1
STA-47258-5 ɑ R-13740-5 SLM △8522 1-1 STERLINGSide A
STA-47259-5 ɑ R-13741-5 SLM △8522-X 1-1 STERLINGSide B
ST-A-47258-ARLabel A
ST-A-47259-ARLabel B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Atlantic 0-86913First year12" | 12" |
| 1984 | Australia | Atlantic 7-89596First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | Atlantic 0-86913First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | Atlantic 7-89596First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Bolivia | WEA WS-9102First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Brazil | Atlantic 601.7011 / Atlantic 10.183First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Brazil | Atlantic 10.183 / Atlantic 756789596-7First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Canada | Atlantic 78 95967First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Atlantic 78 95967First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Ecuador | Atlantic 45-73051First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Europe | Atlantic 789 596-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Atlantic 789 596-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Atlantic 789 596-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Atlantic 789596-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Atlantic 789596-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
71 vinyl pressings of I Want To Know What Love Is are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is Atlantic 7-89596, released November 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-89596, PR 681, A 9596, A 9596 (T)) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STA 47258-1 STERLING S̷T̷A̷ ̷4̷7̷2̷5̷8̷-̷1̷ [SRC logo] S̷T̷A̷ ̷4̷7̷2̷5̷8̷ -1 1-1 and STA-47259-2 1-1 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.
