Vinyl pressings
by Howard Jones · 1983
New Song was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
44 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 18 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.
HOW.1 A-2-11 ? MT.A-side - etched variant 1
HOW-1-B-1-16 MT.B-side - etched variant 1
HOW.1.A3 2̶ 1 9̶ ? MT✩A-side - etched variant 2
HOW-1-B.-3-2 MT. - High WycombeB-side - etched variant 2
HOW 1T A -1U -1 - 1 - TOWN HOUSESide A Runout
HOW 1T B -1U -1 - 1 - TOWN HOUSESide B Runout
HOW · 1 · T · A MT* Good Luck Howard. DAMONTRunout side A variant 1
HOW · 1 · T · B MT* - BUCKS DAMONT RARunout side B variant 1
HOW · 1 · T · A MT* DAMONT Good Luck HowardRunout side A variant 2
HOW · 1 · T · B - BUCKS DAMONT MT* IRunout side B variant 2
HOW 1T A1 - 5 Good Luck Howard MT*Side A Runout
HOW 1T B -5 LBUCKS MT*Side B Runout
HOW 1 A -1U -1 - 2 - 9 TOWN HOUSESide A runout, stamped
HOW 1 B -1U -1 - 1 - 2 0 TOWN HOUSESide B runout, stamped
HOW.1 A2 ? DAMONT MTSide A runout
HOW-1-B. MT. DAMONTSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | WEA 0.249671 / WEA 0-249671First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Australia | WEA 7-249672First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | WEA 7-249672First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Austria | WEA 24.9672-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | WEA 96 69770First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | WEA 96 97667First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | WEA 96 97667First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | WEA 96 69770First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1983 | Ecuador | WEA 91000-10First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Ecuador | WEA 0-66977First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1983 | Europe | WEA 24-9672-7 / WEA 24.9672-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | France | WEA 24-9671-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | France | WEA 24-9672-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Germany | WEA 24-9671-0First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | WEA 24-9672-7 / WEA 24.9672-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | UK, Europe & US | Cherry Red CHERRY5357", White Label | 7", White Label |
| 2023 | UK | Cherry Red CHERRY5357", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
56 vinyl pressings of New Song are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1983 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is WEA HOW 1, released August 15, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HOW 1, HOW 1T, HOW1, HOW 1DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HOW.1 A-2-11 ? MT. and HOW-1-B-1-16 MT.. 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.
