Vinyl pressings
by Howard Jones · 1983
What Is Love? 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.
35 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 14 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 2 A-2U-1-1-7 ARUNA-side runout, Variant 1
HOW 2 B-2U-1-1-4B-side runout, Variant 1
ARUN HOW 2 A-2U-1- ̶1̶1̶ 3-1Side A, Variant 2
HOW 2 3-2U-1-2 -0Side B, Variant 2
HOW ·2 ·T · A' Howards No.1.- DAMONT MT*Runout, side A
HOW ·2 ·T · B' - in high Wycombe MT* DAMONTRunout, side B
HOW 2T A*Label A side
HOW 2T B*Label B side
HOW-2 A1 - 5 MT The bookers Boys Say ! !ARUNA-side runout, etched
HOW-2 B1 - 4 MT See you at FriarsB-side runout, etched
HOW ·2 ·T ·· A1 2 Howards No.1 MT✳Side A runout
HOW ·2 ·T · B1 -1 - In high Wycombe. MT✳Side B runout
noneSide A label
noneSide B label
HOW·2·T·A1 2̶ 3 10 Howards No.1 MT*Side A runout, variant 1
HOW-2·T·B1 3-11 In high wycombe MT*Side B runout, variant 1
HOW ·2 ·T · A1 Howards No.1.- MT*Side A runout, variant 2
HOW ·2 ·T · B1 - In high Wycombe. MT*Side B runout, variant 2
ARUN HOW 2 A-2U-1-4-1Runout side A
HOW 2 B-2U-1-3-8Runout side B
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 | Brazil | WEA 18.079First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | WEA 24-95717First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | WEA 24-95717First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | WEA 24-95717First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Europe | WEA 24-9570-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | WEA 24-9570-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Germany | WEA 24-9570-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | WEA HOW 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Italy | WEA 24 9570-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Italy | WEA 24 9571-7 / WEA 249571-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Netherlands | WEA 24-9570-0First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | New Zealand | WEA HOW2 / WEA 7-249571First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | WEA 24-9570-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | WEA HOW 2T / WEA 249570-0First year12", Single, 7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Single, 7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1983 | UK | WEA HOW 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
50 vinyl pressings of What Is Love? are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Benelux, Europe and more. One of them is WEA HOW 2, released November 26, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HOW 2, HOW 2T, 7-69737, ED 4965) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HOW 2 A-2U-1-1-7 ARUN and HOW 2 B-2U-1-1-4. 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.
