Vinyl pressings
by Lindsey Buckingham · 1984
Slow Dancing was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 6 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.
880 304 - 1 1 Y 320 V 1Runout groove, side A
880 304 - 1 2 Y 320 V 1Runout groove, side B
AA 880 304-1.1YLabel, side A
AA 880 304-1.2YLabel, side B
STE·69675-A-1 SRC 1-1 RTB STERLINGRunout A etched (SRC sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamps)
STE·69675-B-2 SRC 1-2 RTB STERLINGRunout B etched (SRC sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamps)
ST-E-69675-A-ARBoth labels
MX-63387Side A
MX-63388Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Mercury 880 304-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Elektra 96 96757First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Elektra 96 96757First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Mercury 880 304-1 Q / Mercury 880 304-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Mercury 880 304-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 880 304-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 880 304-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Mercury MER 176First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | US | Elektra 7-69675First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Elektra 7-69675First year7", Single | 7", Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Slow Dancing are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Germany, US, UK, Australia and more. One of them is Mercury 880 304-1 Q.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 880 304-1 Q, 880 304-7, 7-69675, MER 176) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 880 304 - 1 1 Y 320 V 1 and 880 304 - 1 2 Y 320 V 1. 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.
