Skip to content
VinylLens
West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein, album cover

Vinyl pressings

West Side Story

by Leonard Bernstein · 1985

19 pressings11 countriesModernMusicalClassicalStage & Screen

West Side Story was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. 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 West Side Story

11 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 7 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.

Germany

1985
Label and catalog number
Deutsche Grammophon 415 253-1
Format
LP, Album, Stereo · Gatefold
Runout / matrix

415 254 - 1 S 1 320 C·1 DWRunout side A, variant 1

415 254 - 1 S 2 320 V1·1 DBRunout side B, variant 1

415 255 - 1 S 3 320 2A EMRunout side C, variant 1

415 255 - 1 S 4 = 3 320 1·5 DWRunout side D, variant 1

Full details of this pressing

Germany

1985
Label and catalog number
Deutsche Grammophon R 215404
Format
LP, Box Set
Runout / matrix

415 254 - 1 S 1   320   1·2  BRunout side A

415 254 - 1 S 2   320   1·1A·7Runout side B

415 255 - 1 S 3   320   4B D LRunout side C

415 255 - 1 S 4 = 3   320   1·4   D NRunout side D

Full details of this pressing

Germany

1985
Label and catalog number
Deutsche Grammophon 415 253-1
Format
LP, Album, Box Set
Runout / matrix

415 254 - 1 S 1 320 1•4 A LSide A Runout Stamped

415 254 - 1 S 2 320 Y 1•3Side B Runout Stamped

415 255 - 1 S 3 320 I K BSide C Runout Stamped

415 255 - 1 S4=2 320 F 4 F BSide D Runout Stamped

Full details of this pressing

Germany

1985
Label and catalog number
Deutsche Grammophon 423 447-1
Format
LP, Album, Special Edition
Runout / matrix

423 448-1Labels side A+B

423 449-1Labels side C+D

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 19 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1980s18 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1985ArgentinaDeutsche Grammophon 47111/12.First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1985BrazilDeutsche Grammophon 415 253-1First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1985GermanyDeutsche Grammophon 415 253-1First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1985GermanyDeutsche Grammophon R 215404First yearLP, Box SetLP, Box Set
1985GermanyDeutsche Grammophon 415 253-1First yearLP, Album, Box SetLP, Album, Box Set
1985GermanyDeutsche Grammophon 423 447-1First yearLP, Album, Special EditionLP, Album, Special Edition
1985GermanyDeutsche Grammophon 415 253-1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition
1985HungaryHungaroton SLPDL 12757-58First yearLPLP
1985JapanDeutsche Grammophon 43MG 0859/60First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1985JapanDeutsche Grammophon 43MG 0859/60First yearLP, Album, Promo · PromoLP, Album, Promo · Promo
1985SpainDeutsche Grammophon 415 253-1First yearLPLP
1985TaiwanFirst Record FL-S 1180 / Deutsche Grammophon 415 253-1LP, Album, Unofficial Release · UnofficialLP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial
1985USDeutsche Grammophon 415 253-1First yearLP, Box SetLP, Box Set
1986German Democratic Republic (GDR)Eterna Digital Recording 7 25 196/197LPLP
1986South KoreaSung Eum Limited SEL-RG 793 / Deutsche Grammophon 415 253-1LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
All 18 pressings from the 1980s
Year unknown1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?UKDeutsche Grammophon 415 255-1 / Deutsche Grammophon 415 254-1LP, Box Set, ReissueLP, Box Set, Reissue

Tracklist

  1. Act I
  2. A1No. 1 Prologue4:05
  3. A2No. 2 Jet Song3:11
  4. A3No. 3 Something's Coming2:32
  5. A4No. 4 The Dance At The Gym: Blues - Promenade - Mambo - Cha-Cha7:45
  6. B1No. 5 Maria15:19
  7. B2No. 6 Balcony Scene7:29
  8. B3No. 7 America4:48
  9. C1No. 8 Cool4:36
  10. C2No. 9 One Hand, One Heart5:38
  11. C3No. 10 Tonight3:40
  12. C4No. 11 The Rumble3:03
  13. Act II
  14. D1No. 12 I Feel Pretty3:21
  15. D2No. 13 Ballet Sequence9:04
  16. D3No. 14 Gee, Officer Krupke4:20
  17. D4No. 15 A Boy Like That / I Have A Love5:36
  18. D5No. 16 Taunting Scene1:26
  19. D6No. 17 Finale2:36

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of West Side Story are there?

19 vinyl pressings of West Side Story are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1985 and 1989.

When was West Side Story first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Germany, US, Argentina, Brazil and more. One of them is Deutsche Grammophon 415 253-1.

How do I tell if my copy of West Side Story is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 415 253-1, R 215404, 423 447-1, 47111/12.) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 415 254 - 1 S 1 320 C·1 DW and 415 254 - 1 S 2 320 V1·1 DB. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is West Side Story 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.

More Leonard Bernstein on vinyl

VinylLens app

What is your copy of West Side Story worth?

Point your phone at the label. VinylLens finds the exact pressing in seconds and shows its value for every condition, from Mint to Poor, so you know what your record is really worth.

Scan your records free