Vinyl pressings
by Juice Newton · 1981
The Sweetest Thing (I've Ever Known) 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.
12 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 8 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.
A-5046 S45-97230-A F-3 # 5 ▷— Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLA-side runout, variant 1
A-5046 S45-97146 F-3 # 2 ▷— Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLB-side runout, variant 1
A-5046 S45-97230-A F-3 #3 ▷— Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLA-side runout, variant 2
A-5046 S45-97146 F-3 ▷— Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLB-side runout, variant 2
A5046 S45-97230-A F-1 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side A Variant 1
A5046 S45-97146 F-1 #3 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side B Variant 1
A5046 S45-97230-A F-2 #3 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side A Variant 2
A5046 S45-97146 F-1 #2 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side B Variant 2
A-5046 S45-97230-A F-5 ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallySide A runout
A-5046 S45-97146 F-6 ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallySIde B runout
S-97230AA-side label
S-97416B-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-664First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Barbados | Capitol Records A-5046First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Barbados | Capitol Records A-5046First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | Capitol Records A-5046First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Capitol Records 1A 006-86468 / Capitol Records 006.86468First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Mexico | Capitol Records 8628 / Capitol Records 33C 006-86468First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Capitol Records F 5045First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | South Africa | Capitol Records JCL 719First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records A-5046First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records P-A-5046First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records A-5046First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records A-5046First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Peru | Capitol Records 01.03.19257", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Capitol Records A-50467", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol Records A-50467", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of The Sweetest Thing (I've Ever Known) are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Australia, Barbados, Canada and more. One of them is Capitol Records A-5046.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use A-5046, P-A-5046, CP-664, 1A 006-86468) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A-5046 S45-97230-A F-3 # 5 ▷— Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL and A-5046 S45-97146 F-3 # 2 ▷— Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL. 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.
