Vinyl pressings
by Jermaine Jackson · 1984
When The Rain Begins To Fall 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.
30 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 12 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.
DM 106 883 A - 1/84 SIII IVRunout side A, variant 1
DM 106 883 B - 1/84 SIII IIIIRunout side B, variant 1
DM 106883 A-1/84 SIII IIIRunout side A, variant 2
DM 106883 B-1/84 SIII IVRunout side B, variant 2
DM 106883 A-1/84 S III VIIRunout side A, variant 1
DM 106883 B-1/84 S III VIIIRunout side B, variant 1
DM 106883 A-1/84 S III VRunout side A, variant 2
DM 106883 B-1/84 S III VIIRunout side B, variant 2
DM 106839 A 1/84S IIRunout side A - variant 1
DM 106839 B 1/84S IIRunout side B - variant 1
DM 106839 A 1/84S I I Ⅲ DSRunout side A - variant 2, 3
DM 106839 B 1/84S I I ⅡRunout side B - variant 2
DM601497 A-1/84 S III IIRunout side A, variant 1
DM 601497 B-1/84 S III IIIRunout side B. variant 1
DM 601497 A-1/84 S III IIRunout side A, variant 2
DM 601497 B-1/84 S III IIRunout side B, variant 2
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 | Unknown | Arista I-9163First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Chile | RCA JAHO-24795First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Europe | Arista 106 883 / Arista 106 839First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Arista 601 497First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Misprint, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Arista 601 497First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Misprint |
| 1984 | Europe | Arista 106 883First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Arista 106 839 / Arista 106 839-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Arista 601 485First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Europe | Arista 106 883First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | France | Arista 106883First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | Arista 601 485First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Greece | Arista 062-VG3005ZFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | Arista ARS 37122First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | Arista ARS 37122First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Mexico | Arista S-994First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Africa | Arista AJJ 11927", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
53 vinyl pressings of When The Rain Begins To Fall are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Europe, UK, US, France and more. One of them is Arista 106 883.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 106 883, 106 839, 601 485, 601 497) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DM 106 883 A - 1/84 SIII IV and DM 106 883 B - 1/84 SIII IIII. 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.
