UK
April 1978- Label and catalog number
- Stiff Records BUY 27
- Format
- 12", Single, 45 RPM
- Runout / matrix
BUY 27-12-A-1 EGSide A runout, etched
BUY 27-12-B-1 EGSide B runout, etched
Vinyl pressings
What A Waste!
by Ian Dury And The Blockheads · 1978
20 pressings5 countriesNew WavePop RockRockPop
What A Waste! was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 What A Waste!
16 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 5 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.
UK
April 1978- Label and catalog number
- Stiff Records BUY 27
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM · No 27 On Labels, EMI Pressing
- Runout / matrix
BUY 27 A-2U P C 999 Rule OK!Side A runout
BUY 27 B-1U A C Sunday's BestSide B runout
UK
April 1978- Label and catalog number
- Stiff Records BUY 27
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM · 27 On B Side Label Only, EMI Pressing
- Runout / matrix
BUY 27 A-2U A C C1 999 Rule OK!Side A runout
BUY 27 B-1U LC Sunday's BestSide B runout
UK
April 14, 1978- Label and catalog number
- Stiff Records BUY 27
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · 27 On A + B Labels, EMI Pressing
- Runout / matrix
BUY 27 A-2U 999 Rule OK!Side A runout, stamped/etched, variant 1
BUY 27 B-1U Sunday's BestSide B runout, stamped/etched, variant 1
BUY 27 A-2U 1 A 999 Rule OK!Side A runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
BUY 27 B-1U 1 RL Sunday's BestSide B runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
UK
1978- Label and catalog number
- Stiff Records BUY 27
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM · Company Sleeve
- Runout / matrix
BUY 27 A-2U 11 11 999 Rule OK!Side A runout, stamped/etched, variant 1
BUY 27 B-1U C1 Sunday's BestSide B runout, stamped/etched, variant 1
BUY 27 A-2U HP 2 999 Rule OK!Side A runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
BUY 27 B-1U TA Sunday's Best MSide B runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
UK
1978- Label and catalog number
- Stiff Records BUY 27
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · 27 On A + B Labels, CBS Pressing
- Runout / matrix
A Buy・27・A 1Side A runout, etched
A Buy - 27・B -1Side B runout, etched
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 20 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s17 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Stiff Records BUY-11748First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Belgium | Stiff Records 640.143First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Belgium | Stiff Records COU-B / BUY 27First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | Belgium | Stiff Records COU/B/BUY 27First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | Belgium | Stiff Records COU/B/BUY 27 / Stiff Records COU-B/BUY 27First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.12 313 / Stiff Records BUY 277", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1978 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.12 313 / Stiff Records 6.12313First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Spain | Stiff Records MO 1810 / Stiff Records BUY 27First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Spain | Stiff Records MO 1810First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Spain | Stiff Records MO 1810First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 27First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 27First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 27First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 27First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 27First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
1980s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Belgium | Stiff Records BUY 1357", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1981 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 1357", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1981 | UK | Stiff Records BUY DJ 135 / Stiff Records BUY 1357", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Reissue · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
Tracklist
- AWhat A Waste!3:21
- BWake Up!4:03
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of What A Waste! are there?
20 vinyl pressings of What A Waste! are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1978 and 1981.
When was What A Waste! first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Australia, Belgium, Germany and more. One of them is Stiff Records BUY 27, released April 1978.
How do I tell if my copy of What A Waste! is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUY 27, BUY-11748, 640.143, COU-B / BUY 27) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUY 27-12-A-1 EG and BUY 27-12-B-1 EG. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is What A Waste! 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.
