Vinyl pressings
by Glenn Frey · 1984
The Heat Is On 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.
22 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 7 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.
R / S Alsdorf 259119-0 A φRunout side A, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 259119-0 B PRunout side B, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 259119-0 A φ S 11Runout side A, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 259119-0 B 11Runout side B, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 259179-7 A 48Runout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 259179-7 B x 30Runout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 259173-7 A D 138Runout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 259173-7 B x 123Runout side B, variant 2
MC-16576-BG7 ❀ ◈ P ◈ 111Side A runout, variant 1
MC-16587-BG4 ❀ ◈-P-◈ 11Side B runout, variant 1
MC-16576-BG6 ❀ ◈-P-◈ ISide A runout, variant 2
MC-16587-BG 3 ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀ ◈-P-◈ 11Side B runout, variant 2
MC16576Side A label
MC16587Side B label
MC-16576-BG7 ❀ ◈ P ◈ IIIII
MC-16587-BG4 ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀ ◈-P-◈ IIIII
MC-16576-BG6 ❀ ⧈-G-⧈Side A etched, variant 1
MC-16587-BG3 NM ❀ ⧈-G-⧈Side B etched, variant 1
MC-16576-BG3 ❀ ⧈-G-⧈Side A etched, variant 2
MC-16587-BG2 ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀ ⧈-G-⧈Side B etched, 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 | Australia | MCA Records 7-52512First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Australia | MCA Records 7-52512First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-23540First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-52512First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records BHC-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-52512First year7", Single, Misprint | 7", Single, Misprint |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records BHC-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Ecuador | MCA Records 45-33543First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | MCA Records 259 119-0First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Europe | MCA Records 259 179-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | MCA Records PRO 1051First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | France | MCA Records 25 9179-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Italy | MCA Records 25 9179-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records L33-1256First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records MCA-23540 / MCA Records 0-23540First year12" | 12" |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | MCA Records MS-85-1067", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
43 vinyl pressings of The Heat Is On are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Europe, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records 259 119-0.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 259 119-0, 259 179-7, MCA-52512, MCA-23540) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R / S Alsdorf 259119-0 A φ and R / S Alsdorf 259119-0 B P. 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.
