Vinyl pressings
by Joe Dolce Music Theatre · 1981
If You Want To Be Happy was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 11 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.
FMS 2103 (A)Matrix, Side A
FMS 2103 (B)Matrix, Side B
FMS-2103ARunout, Side A etched, Variant 1
FMS-2103BRunout, Side B etched, Variant 1
EPC-S-A - 1300 -A-1Runout (Etched) Side A
EPC-S-A - 1300 -B-1Runout (Etched) Side B
EPC A 1300 ALabel Side A
EPC A 1300 BLabel Side B
EPC-S-A-1300.A-1Side A runout, hand etched
EPC-S-A-1300.B-1Side B runout, hand etched
103186 A-1/81S 1Runout side A (variante 1)
103186 B-1/81S 1Runout side B (variante 1)
012 103186 A-1/81S 1 M̷a̷d̷e̷ ̷i̷n̷ ̷G̷e̷r̷m̷a̷n̷y̷Runout side A (variante 2)
012 103186 B-1/81S 1 M̷a̷d̷e̷ ̷i̷n̷ ̷G̷e̷r̷m̷a̷n̷y̷Runout side B (variante 2)
TL 2103-331 - ARunout side A
TL 2103-331 - BRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Full Moon Records FMS2103First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1981 | Austria | Ariola 103 186First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Belgium | Biram 2103 331First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1981 | Brazil | Test Pressing TPCS-2054First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Ariola 103 186 / Ariola 103 186 - 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Ariola 103 186First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Polydor POLY 112First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Portugal | World 503704First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Sweden | Frituna FR-1106First year7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1981 | Sweden | Frituna FR-1106First year7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A1300First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A 1300First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | South Africa | Gallo PD 1959First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of If You Want To Be Happy are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Australia, UK, South Africa, Austria and more. One of them is Full Moon Records FMS2103.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FMS2103, EPC A 1300, EPC A1300, PD 1959) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FMS 2103 (A) and FMS 2103 (B). 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.
