Vinyl pressings
by John Cougar Mellencamp · 1991
Whenever We Wanted was first pressed on vinyl in 1991. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1991, 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.
5101511 S1 1 670 07 12 9Side A runout, variant 1
5101511 S2 1 670 07 120Side B runout, variant 1
5101511 S1 1 670 07 11Side A runout, variant 2
5101511 S2 1 670 07 11Side B runout, variant 2
510 151-1-A-LADO 1Side A runout stamped
510 151-1-B-LADO 2Side B runout stamped
5101511 A-1U-1-1 Copymasters.Miles.Side A runout
5101511 B-1U-1-1Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Argentina | Mercury 510 151-1 / Mercury 29362First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Brazil | Mercury 510 151-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Canada | Mercury PI-10151First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Europe | Mercury 510 151-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | Greece | Mercury 510 151-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Greece | Mercury 510 151-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1991 | Mexico | Mercury LPE-1257 / Mercury 510 151-1First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1991 | Portugal | Mercury 510 151-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | South Africa | Mercury STARL 5861First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Spain | Mercury 510 151-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 221872First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | Europe | Mercury 510 151-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | South Korea | Sung Eum Limited RP 2274 / Mercury 510 151-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of Whenever We Wanted are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1991, in Europe, South Korea, Argentina, Brazil and more. One of them is Mercury 510 151-1, released October 8, 1991.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 510 151-1, RP 2274, PI-10151, LPE-1257) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5101511 S1 1 670 07 12 9 and 5101511 S2 1 670 07 120. 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.
