Vinyl pressings
by George Michael · 1984
Careless Whisper 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.
73 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 22 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.
TA 4603 A-3 CRunout, etched, side A, variant 1
TA 4603 B4 CRunout, etched, side B variant 1
TA 4603 A-3 4C CRunout, etched, side A, variant 2
TA 4603 B.3 72 VRunout, etched, side B, variant 2
TA 4603 A5 <Side A runout etched / stamped
TA 4603 B5 CSide B runout etched / stamped
TA4603 AA Side Label
TA4603 BB Side Label
TA4603 AA Side Label
TA4603 BB Side Label
TA 4603 A-3Runout side A, variant 1
TA 4603 B3Runout side B, variant 1
TA 4603 A-3Runout side A, variant 2
TA 4603 B.4Runout side B, variant 2
A-4603-A4Runout - side A variant 1
A-4603-B3Runout - side B variant 1
A∙4603-A5Runout - side A variant 2
A∙4603-B5Runout - side B variant 2
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 | Argentina | Columbia DEP 375First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 12112First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 976First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 12112First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 12112First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 976First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Bolivia | CBS S 30496 / Discos CBS S 30496First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Brazil | CBS 43593 / Discos CBS 43.593First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Canada | Columbia 38 04691First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Canada | Columbia 38 04691First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Epic EPCA 12-4603 / Epic EPCA 12.4603First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Epic A 4603 / Epic EPCA 4603First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Epic A 4603 / Epic EPCA 4603First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | Epic EPCA 4603 / Epic A 4603First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1984 | Europe | Epic EPCA 12-4603 / Epic EPCA 12.4603First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Europe | Sony Music 19802833741 / Epic 1980283374112", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited |
| 2024 | Europe | Sony Music 19802833751 / George Michael Entertainment 1980283375112", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Remastered · Limited, Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Remastered · Limited, Picture disc |
| 2024 | Europe | Sony Music 19802833761 / Epic 1980283376112", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | Europe | Sony Music 19802838841 / Epic 1980283884112", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | US | Columbia 19802833761 / Legacy 1980283376112", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Epic A46037", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia 13-687137", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia 13-68713 / Collectables 13-687137", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia 13-68713 / Columbia ORAW 10407", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia 13-687137", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
86 vinyl pressings of Careless Whisper are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1984 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Epic TA 4603, released July 24, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TA 4603, WA4603, TA4603, A 4603) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TA 4603 A-3 C and TA 4603 B4 C. 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.
