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Harry BelafonteBanana Boat Song

Vinyl pressings

Banana Boat Song

by Harry Belafonte · 1973

10 pressings2 countriesCalypsoReggae

Banana Boat Song was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.

How to spot a first pressing of Banana Boat Song

2 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year. 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.

Germany

1973
Label and catalog number
RCA Victor 74-16 278RCA 74-16 278
Format
7", Single, 45 RPM
Runout / matrix

(P) 1973 M F2PW-8702 SRunout side A

(P) 1973 M H2PW-1273 B SRunout side B

F 2 PW-8702Label side A

H 2 PW-1273Label side B

Full details of this pressing

Germany

1973
Label and catalog number
RCA Victor 74-16 278RCA 74-16 278
Format
7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo
Runout / matrix

(P) 1973 M F2PW-8702 SRunout side A

(P) 1973 M H2PW-1273 B SRunout side B

F 2 PW-8702Label side A

H 2 PW-1273Label side B

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 10 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1970s2 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1973GermanyRCA Victor 74-16 278 / RCA 74-16 278First year7", Single, 45 RPM7", Single, 45 RPM
1973GermanyRCA Victor 74-16 278 / RCA 74-16 278First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo
1980s1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1986USCollectables DPE1-1032 / Collectables 45327", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono
Year unknown7 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?GermanyRCA Victor 74-16278 / RCA Victor 26.11 0407", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue
?GermanyRCA Victor 26.11040 / RCA Victor 74-162787", 45 RPM, Single, Repress7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress
?GermanyRCA Victor 26.110407", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue
?GermanyRCA Victor 74-16 278 / RCA 26.110407", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue
?GermanyRCA Victor 74-16 278 / RCA 74-16 2787", Single, 45 RPM7", Single, 45 RPM
?GermanyRCA Victor 26.11040 / RCA Victor 74-162787", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue
?USCollectables DPE1-1032 / Collectables 45327", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue

Tracklist

  1. ABanana Boat (Day-O)3:01
  2. BMama Look A Boo Boo (Shut You Mouth - Go Away)2:58

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Banana Boat Song are there?

10 vinyl pressings of Banana Boat Song are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 1973 and 1986.

When was Banana Boat Song first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1973, in Germany. One of them is RCA Victor 74-16 278.

How do I tell if my copy of Banana Boat Song is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 74-16 278) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, (P) 1973 M F2PW-8702 S and (P) 1973 M H2PW-1273 B S. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Banana Boat Song on vinyl worth?

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.

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