Vinyl pressings
by Jody Watley · 1987
Don't You Want Me was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 10 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.
MCA-7144-FW1 Hᴇʀbɪᴇ Jʀ :v) FK 1A-Side Runout Etching
MCA-7145-FW1 Hᴇʀbɪᴇ Jʀ :v) FK 1B-Side Runout Etching
MCA-7145-FW1 Hᴇʀbɪᴇ Jʀ :v) 1Variant 2 B-Side Runout Etching & Stamped
⧈-G-⧈Runout Stamp Each Side
MC-23834-REE FWZ Herbie Jr :v) 回-G-回Runout etched side A
MC-23833-RE FWZ Herbie Jr :v) 回-G-回Runout etched side B
MC 23834REELabel side A
MC 23833RELabel side B
MCA-7144-FW1Side 1 Run-out
MCA-7145-FW1Side 2 Run-out
MCA 7144Side 1 Label
MCA 7145Side 2 Label
MC-23834REE FW4 HERbiE JR. ☺ ◈-P-◈ IIISide A Runout
MC-23833RE-FW3 HERbiE JR. ☺ ◈-P-◈Side B Runout
MC23834REESide A Label
MC23833RESide B Label
MCA-7144-FW5 Herbie Jr :v) FK ◈-P-◈Side 1 Run-out
MCA-7145-FW4 Herbie Jr :v) ◈-P-◈Side 2 Run-out
MCA7144Side 1 Label
MCA7145Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | MCA Records 0-23785First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Australia | MCA Records 7-53162First year7" | 7" |
| 1987 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-53162First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-53162First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | Europe | MCA Records 258 204-0First year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | Europe | MCA Records 258 205-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Jamaica | MCA Records MCA-53162First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Japan | MCA Records P-2319First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Mexico | MCA Records PRO-233First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Philippines | MCA Records MS-87-172 / MCA Records 0501014359First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Philippines | MCA Records MS-87-172 / Alpha Records Corporation MS-87-172First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Spain | MCA Records 870First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 1198First year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | UK | MCA Records MCA 1198First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | US | MCA Records MCA-23785 / MCA Records MCA 23785First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
24 vinyl pressings of Don't You Want Me are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-23785.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-23785, MCA-53162, L33-17376, MCAT 1198) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-7144-FW1 Hᴇʀbɪᴇ Jʀ :v) FK 1 and MCA-7145-FW1 Hᴇʀbɪᴇ Jʀ :v) FK 1. 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.
