Vinyl pressings
by Kim Carnes · 1981
Bette Davis Eyes 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.
70 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 27 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.
006-86359-A//47779-1-YRunout side A, variant 1
006-86359-B//47780-1-YRunout side B, variant 1
006-86359-A//47779-1-Y 0 3Runout side A, variant 2
006-86359-B//47780-1-Y 1 1 1Runout side B, variant 2
EA 121 A-3 24 1Side A, stamped variant 1
EA 121 B-1 30 2Side B, stamped variant 1
EA 121 A-3 50 3Side A, stamped variant 2
EA 121 B-1 53 4Side B, stamped variant 2
EA 121 A-3 84 1Side A, Runout
EA 121 B-1 74 2Side B, Runout
EA121A-3-Q1Stamped
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 | Argentina | EMI America 1783First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Argentina | EMI America 1783First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | EMI America AMI 460First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | Australia | EMI America AMI-460First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Barbados | EMI America 8077First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Barbados | EMI America 8077First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Barbados | EMI America 8077First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Bolivia | EMI International BO - 1322First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Brazil | EMI America 31C 006 86359First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | EMI America 8077First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | EMI America 8077First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | EMI America 8077First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | EMI America 500527First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | EMI America B-8077 SO- 17052First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Chile | Capitol Records 21511First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | US | Cleopatra CLO25687", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | EMI America 31C 006 863597", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
75 vinyl pressings of Bette Davis Eyes are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1981 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Netherlands, UK, US, Germany and more. One of them is EMI America 1A 006-86359.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1A 006-86359, EA 121, EA121, 8077) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 006-86359-A//47779-1-Y and 006-86359-B//47780-1-Y. 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.
