Vinyl pressings
by Joe Jackson · 1984
Happy Ending 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.
18 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 9 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.
19-9762-1A-1 A NLRunout side A, variant 1
19-9762-2B-1 A NLRunout side B, variant 1
19-9762-1A-1 B NLRunout side A, variant 2
19-9762-2B-1 A NLRunout side B, variant 2
A&M- BR A⃫&⃫M⃫-⃫A⃫M⃫ 02635-A C2 ʜ G IRunout A
A&M- BR A⃫&⃫M⃫-⃫B⃫R⃫-02635-B C2 ᴅ G IRunout B
BR-02635-ALabel A
BR-02635-BLabel B
MR △ 109721 A̶&̶M̶-̶A̶M̶-02635-A M2 BR-02635- A M2Runout A
MR △ 109721 X BR A̶&̶M̶-̶A̶M̶-02635-B M1Runout B
BR-02635-ALabel A
BR-02635-BLabel B
AMX 186 A1 POUNDA TA1PE ⋀
AMX 186 B1
AM -186 - A1 POUNDA TA1PE ⋀Runout, A-side, hand etched, ⋀ is stamped
AM -186 - B1 ⋀Runout, B-side, hand etched, ⋀ is stamped
AM 186-ALabel side A
AM 186-BLabel side B
P BR-02635-A-P1Runout Side A
P BR-02635-B P1Runout Side B
BR-02635-ALabel Side A
BR-02635-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | A&M Records K-9392First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Canada | A&M Records BR 2635First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 9762First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | A&M Records AMS 9762First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-797First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-797First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | A&M Records K 9392First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | Spain | A&M Records AMS 9762First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Spain | A&M Records AMS 9762First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | A&M Records AMX 186First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | A&M Records AM 186First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | A&M Records AM 186First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records BR-2635First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records BR-2635First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records BR-2635First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of Happy Ending are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Europe, US, UK, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records AMS 9762.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMS 9762, BR-2635, AMX 186, AM 186) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 19-9762-1A-1 A NL and 19-9762-2B-1 A NL. 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.
