UK
March 5, 1979- Label and catalog number
- EMI EMI 2911
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
2 EMI 2911A - 2U THANK YOU EMILY GPRunout side A
2 EMI 2911B - 2U GPRunout side B
EMI 2911ALabel side A
EMI 2911BLabel side B
Vinyl pressings
Wow
by Kate Bush · 1979
31 pressings16 countriesVocalPop
Wow was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Wow
25 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 15 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.
UK
March 5, 1979- Label and catalog number
- EMI EMI 2911
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Flipback Sleeve
- Runout / matrix
EMI 2911 A-2̶3 7DRunout, side A - "2" cancelled, variant 1
#### EMI 2911 B-2U ORRunout, side B, variant 1
EMI 2911 A-#3 GL 1Runout, side A, variant 2
EMI 2911 B-2U GR 2Runout, side B, variant 2
UK
March 5, 1979- Label and catalog number
- EMI EMI 2911
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · EMI Music Publg.
- Runout / matrix
EMI 2911ASide A
EMI 2911BSide B
EMI 2911 A - 4 TA BLAIR'S GRunout Side A
EMI 2911 B - 2U GPRunout Side B
UK
March 5, 1979- Label and catalog number
- EMI EMI 2911
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Company Sleeve
- Runout / matrix
EMI 2911 A-2̶ 3 PD 1Side A runout, variant 1
EMI 2911 B-2U OMSide B runout, variant 1
EMI 2911 A-2̶ 3 M VSide A runout, variant 2
EMI 2911 B-2U D MSide B runout, variant 2
UK
March 5, 1979- Label and catalog number
- EMI EMI 2911
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Solid Centre
- Runout / matrix
EMI 2911 A-4Side A runout
EMI 2911 B-2USide B runout
EMI 2911ASide A label
EMI 2911BSide B label
UK
March 5, 1979- Label and catalog number
- EMI EMI 2911
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
2 EMI 2911A - 2U THANK YOU EMILYRunout side A
2 EMI 2911B - 2URunout side B
EMI 2911ALabel side A
EMI 2911BLabel side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 31 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s28 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | EMI 1685First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Argentina | EMI 1685First year7", Promo, White Label · Promo | 7", Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1979 | Australia | EMI EMI-11897First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Belgium | EMI 4C006-06949First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Harvest 72803First year7", Single · Colored vinyl | 7", Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | France | Sonopresse 2S 008 06949 / Sonopresse 2S 008-06.949First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | EMI 1 C 006-06 949 / EMI 069497", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Germany | Not On Label 069497", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Ireland | EMI EMI 2911First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Italy | EMI 3C 006-07048First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Mexico | EMI 8179First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Netherlands | EMI 5C 006-06949First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | New Zealand | EMI EMI 2911First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Portugal | EMI 8E 006 06949First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | South Africa | EMI EMIJ 4243First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
2000s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | UK | Not On Label TWM 0112", Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Poland | Art & Muzyka ARM ‒ 22147 ‒ 1Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited |
| ? | UK | EMI EMI 29117", White Label | 7", White Label |
Tracklist
- AWow
- BFullhouse
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Wow are there?
31 vinyl pressings of Wow are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1979 and 2005.
When was Wow first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Germany, Spain, Argentina and more. One of them is EMI EMI 2911, released March 5, 1979.
How do I tell if my copy of Wow is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 2911, 1 C 006-06 949, 006.006.949-A, 1685) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2 EMI 2911A - 2U THANK YOU EMILY GP and 2 EMI 2911B - 2U GP. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Wow on vinyl worth?
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.
