Vinyl pressings
by Irene Cara · 1983
Breakdance 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.
11 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 8 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.
0-20196-A-SR2 II ARTISAN SRCRunout A Side Etched & Stamped
0-20196-B-SR2 [Artisan logo] SRCRunout B Side Etched & Stamped
MX204213Side A Label
MX204214Side B Label
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 | Epic ES 959 / Network Records ES 959First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | Epic ES 959 / Network Records ES 959First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 01960First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Colombia | Epic 449321First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 803First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 803First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Epic ES 957 / Network Records ES 957First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Portugal | Epic EPC A 4105First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Spain | Epic EPC A 4105 / Network Records EPC A-4105First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Spain | Epic EPC A-4105First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | Geffen Records 0-20196 / Geffen Records 9 20196-0 AFirst year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 1210512", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 1210512", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Brazil | Discos CBS 466107" | 7" |
| 1984 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 932877", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Canada | Unidisc SPEC173412", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
36 vinyl pressings of Breakdance are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1983 and 1998.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Australia, Canada, Colombia and more. One of them is Geffen Records 0-20196.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 0-20196, ES 959, 92 01960, 449321) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 0-20196-A-SR2 II ARTISAN SRC and 0-20196-B-SR2 [Artisan logo] SRC. 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.
