Vinyl pressings
by Frankie Avalon · 1959
Why / Swingin' On A Rainbow was first pressed on vinyl in 1959. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1959, the album's first year, in 12 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.
C-1045-A 2Runout, side A variant 1
C-1-45 BRunout, side B variant 1
C-1045-A 2 LWRunout, side A variant 2
C-1045 B LWRunout, side B variant 2
C-1045 A2 3 △32471A-side runout etching
45 C-1045 B 2 △32472B-side runout etching
45-1045AA-side label
45-1045BB-side label
C-1045-A2 LWRunout side A, etching
C-1045-B LWRunout side B, etching
45-1045 ALabel side A
45-1045 BLabel side B
C-1045 A LWSide A Runout Etched, Variant 1
C-1045 B LWSide B Runout Etched, Variant 1
C-1045-A2 D MM LWSide A Runout Etched, Variant 2
C-1045 B D MM LWSide B Runout Etched, Variant 2
Side A: C - 1045 A2 3 3 LW BC
Side B: C - 1045 B LW
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Belgium | Chancellor C 1045 / Chancellor C.1045x45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Belgium | Chancellor C 1045 / Chancellor C.1045x45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Canada | Chancellor C-1045XFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1959 | Denmark | Sonet T 8054First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Denmark | Sonet T 8054First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Germany | Heliodor 453 066First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Greece | Bluebell Record CH 02016First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Ireland | His Master's Voice 45-POP (I) 688First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1959 | Italy | Chancellor CH 02016 / Bluebell Record CH 02016First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1959 | Italy | Chancellor CH 02016First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1959 | Italy | Chancellor CH 02016 / Bluebell Record CH 02016First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1959 | Netherlands | Chancellor C 1045First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Netherlands | Chancellor C 1045First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Norway | Sonet T-8054First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1959 | Norway | Sonet T-8054First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Australia | His Master's Voice 45-EA.43717", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | Finland | Sonet T 80547", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Japan | Angel Records HM-10717", Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 7", Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1960 | Japan | Angel Records HM-10717", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 1960 | New Zealand | His Master's Voice HR.103407", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Denmark | Sonet T 80547", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | France | President Hifi Records P 1277", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| ? | France | President Hifi Records P 1277", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | France | President Hifi Records P 1277", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| ? | US | Collectables C 11587", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Collectables C 11587", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Collectables C 11587", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
37 vinyl pressings of Why / Swingin' On A Rainbow are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1959 and 1960.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in US, UK, Belgium, Canada and more. One of them is Chancellor C-1045, released November 1959.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C-1045, C1045, 1045, 45-POP 688) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, C-1045-A 2 and C-1-45 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.
