Vinyl pressings
by Janet Jackson · 1984
Dream Street was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 15 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.
AMA 4962_A2A-Side run out groove, variant 1
AMA 4962 B2B-Side run out groove, variant 1
AMA 4962-A.2 JA ⋀A-Side run out groove, variant 2
AMA.4962.B2 JA ⋀B-Side run out groove, variant 2
AMA 4962-A.2 JA ⋀A-Side run out groove, variant 2
AMA.4962.B2 JA ⋀B-Side run out groove, variant 2
SP-04962-A-RE1-RCA1 ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀ 1 A1 DSide A runout
SP-04962-B RCA 3 ❀ 1 A1 DSide B runout
SP-04962-ASide 1 Label
SP-04962-BSide 2 Label
SP-04962A - RE1 M1 ❁ MR△26527Side 1 Label
SP-04962B M3 ❁ MR△26527XSide 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4962 / A&M Records SP-4962First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | A&M Records AMLX 64962First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | A&M Records 394 962-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | A&M Records 394 962-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | A&M Records AMLX 64962First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28102First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | A&M Records AMLX 64962 / A&M Records 19-064962-20First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | New Zealand | A&M Records SP-4962First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Philippines | A&M Records SP-4962First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | A&M Records 817 342-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | South Africa | A&M Records AMLS64962First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | A&M Records AMLH 64962First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | A&M Records AMLH 64962First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | A&M Records AMA 4962First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Netherlands | A&M Records AMLX 64962LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
24 vinyl pressings of Dream Street are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1984 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records AMA 4962.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMA 4962, SP-4962, L 38252, SP 4962) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMA 4962_A2 and AMA 4962 B2. 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.
