Vinyl pressings
by Frank Mills · 1979
Music Box Dancer 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.
19 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 11 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.
PD-1-6192-AS-PRC-1-11-11 F/w (Apple Image) JAVariant 1 Side A runout etched
PD-1-6192-BS-PRC-2-11-11 F/w tcVariant 1 Side B runout etched
PD-1-6192-ASide A Label
PD-1-6192-ASide B Label
PD-1-6192-ASide A label
PD-1-6192-BSide B label
PD-1-6192-ALabel [Side A]
PD-1-6192-ALabel [Side B]
PD-1-6192-AS-PW F/w (Apple Image) JASide A etched
PD-1-6192-BS-PW F/w (Apple Image) JASide B etched
PD-1-6192-ASSide A Label
PD-1-6192-BSSide B Label
PD-1-6192-AS MR △24072 (2) F/W Ѽ JARunout etched side A (MR circle stamp)
PD-1-6192-BS MR △24072-X ③ F/W Ѽ JARunout etched side B (MR circle stamp)
PD-1-6192-ALabel side A
PD-1-6192-BLabel side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Polydor 2480 484First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Colombia | Polydor 2480 484First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Polydor 2417 327First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Polydor 2417 327First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Polydor 2480 484First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2417 327First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | Polydor 24 80 484First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Switzerland | Polydor 2836 204First yearLP, Album, Special Edition | LP, Album, Special Edition |
| 1979 | UK | Polydor 2480 484First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Polydor PD-1-6192First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Polydor PD-1-6192First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Polydor PD-1-6192First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Polydor PD-1-6192First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Polydor PD-1-6192First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Polydor PD-1-6192First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Unknown | Polydor 2424 170LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | Polydor CESS 61LP, Album | LP, Album |
22 vinyl pressings of Music Box Dancer are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, South Korea, Australia and more. One of them is Polydor PD-1-6192.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD-1-6192, 2480 484, 2417 327, 24 80 484) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PD-1-6192-AS-PRC-1-11-11 F/w (Apple Image) JA and PD-1-6192-BS-PRC-2-11-11 F/w tc. 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.
