Vinyl pressings
by Janet Jackson · 1989
Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 22 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.
AMA3920A-2C-1-3 DSide A stamped runout [variant 1]
AMA3920B-2C-1-1 DSide B stamped runout [variant 1]
AMA 3920 A-2C-1-1 DSide A stamped runout [variant 2]
AMA 3920 B-2C-1-1 DSide B stamped runout [variant 2]
SP-03920-A1 ESZVariant 1, Run-out area A-side [etched]
EMW #04663Variant 1, Run-out area A-side [etched]
SP-03920-B ES3Variant 1, Run-out area B-side [etched]
EMW #04663XVariant 1, Run-out area B-side [etched]
SP-3920-A INT-①Runout Side A [etched]
3920-B INTL-RE1 ❀Runout Side B [etched]
SP-03920-ALabel Side A
SP-03920-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Argentina | A&M Records 393.920-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Australia | A&M Records 393920-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1989 | Brazil | A&M Records 393 920 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Canada | A&M Records SP 3920 / JDJ Entertainment SP 3920First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Canada | A&M Records SP 503920LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1989 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3920 / A&M Records SP 3920LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1989 | Colombia | A&M Records 393 920-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Ecuador | A&M Records LP-88057First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Europe | A&M Records 393 920-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Europe | A&M Records 393 920-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | A&M Records 393 920-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | A&M Records 393 920-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | A&M Records 393 920-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Greece | A&M Records 393 920-1 / A&M Records 393920-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Greece | A&M Records 393 920-1 / PolyGram 393 920-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Czechoslovakia | Opus 91 2325-1311 / A&M Records 91 2325-1311LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1990 | UK | A&M Records AMAP 3920 / JDJ Entertainment AMAP 3920LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Picture Disc · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Picture Disc · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | US | A&M Records B0030205-01 / UMe B0030205-01LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | Europe | A&M Records 00602577650413LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2019 | UK & Europe | A&M Records 00602577650413 / UMe 00602577650413LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | US | A&M Records B0030205-01 / UMe B0030205-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2019 | US | A&M Records B0030205-01 / UMe B0030205-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
43 vinyl pressings of Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1989 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records AMA 3920.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMA 3920, SP-3920, PCJY-10001, TVL93280) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMA3920A-2C-1-3 D and AMA3920B-2C-1-1 D. 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.
