Vinyl pressings
by Journey · 1981
Don't Stop Believin' 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.
21 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
MASTERDISK HW IT ZSS-168784-IDRunout side A
MASTERDISK TI ZSS-168832-IERunout side B
ZSS-168784 1C MASTERDISK HW T1Runout side A
ZSS-168784 1D MASTERDISK HW T T1Runout side B
ZSS-168784-1F SII HWRunout side A, etched
ZSS-168832-1J SSSRunout side B, etched
MASTERDISKRunout both sides, stamped
ZSS 168784Label side A
ZSS-168784-1ARunout A etched
ZSS-168832-1A MASTERDISKRunout B etched, except MASTERDISK stamped
ZSS 168784Label side A
ZSS 168832Label side B
MASTERDISK HW P ZSS-168784-IBRunout side A
MASTERDISK P ZSS-168832-ICRunout side B
ZSS-168784 1C MASTERDISK HW TIRunout side A
ZSS-168784 1D MASTERDISK HW T TIRunout side B
ZSS 168784Label both sides
ZSS-168784 1B MASTERDISK HW PBoth runouts
ZSS 168784Both labels
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 | CBS BA 222896First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Australia | CBS BA 222896First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | Columbia 18-02567First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Columbia DJC4-8455First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Costa Rica | CBS 7012530First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS CBSA 1728 / CBS A-1728First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 579First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 579First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Mexico | CBS 8438First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | CBS BA 222 896First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | South Africa | CBS SSC 5274First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | CBS CBS A1728First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | CBS CBS A1728First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia 18-02567First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia 18-02567First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | US | Columbia 887254733277", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Columbia7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
26 vinyl pressings of Don't Stop Believin' are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1981 and 2012.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia 18-02567, released October 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 18-02567, A1728, CBS A1728, BA 222896) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MASTERDISK HW IT ZSS-168784-ID and MASTERDISK TI ZSS-168832-IE. 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.
