Vinyl pressings
by Men At Work · 1981
Business As Usual 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.
17 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 12 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.
Δ MX200452-D SBP237700-1Side A runout, stamped, variant 1
Δ MX200453-B SBP237700-2Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
Δ MX200452-D SBP237700-1Side A runout, stamped, variant 2
MX200453-B SBP237700-B-2 2 JVC/RLSide B runout, etched, variant 2
MX200452-B SBP-237700-A-1 2 JVC/RLSide A runout
MX200453-B SBP-237700-B-2 2 JVC/RLSide B runout
MX200452Side A label
MX200453Side B label
MX200452-B SBP-237700-A-1 2 JVC/RLSide A runout, etched,
MX200453-B SBP237700-B-2 2 JVC/RLSIde B runout, etched,
MX200452Side A label
MX200453Side B label
138.548 - APrinted on A Side Label
138.548 - BPrinted on B Side Label
AL - 37978Printed on A Side Label
BL - 37978Printed on B 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 | CBS SBP 237700First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | CBS 138.548 / Discos CBS 138.548First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Colombia | CBS 14-1641First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Costa Rica | CBS 1100728First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS 85423 / CBS CBS 85423First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS CBS 85423 / CBS 85423First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS 85423 / CBS CBS 85423First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS 85423 / CBS CBS 85423First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Israel | CBS CBS 85423First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Jamaica | Columbia FC 37978 / AC 37978First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 237 700 / CBS SBP 237700First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Portugal | CBS CBS 85423 / CBS 85423First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | South Africa | CBS ASF 2734First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Taiwan | Star Power Records LMSP-010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Zimbabwe | CBS ASF 2734First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | CBS CBS 450449 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1992 | South Korea | Jigu Records CPL-1254LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MOFI 1-024LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2016 | Australia | Sony Music 88985347951LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2016 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MOFI 1-024LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| 2017 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1452 / Columbia MOVLP1452LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | CBS 138548 / Discos CBS 138.548LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Brazil | CBS 138.548 / Discos CBS 138.548LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 450449 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 85423LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Turkey | BLAM 2029LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
79 vinyl pressings of Business As Usual are listed here, from 31 countries, released between 1981 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica and more. One of them is CBS SBP 237700, released November 9, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SBP 237700, 138.548, 14-1641, 1100728) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Δ MX200452-D SBP237700-1 and Δ MX200453-B SBP237700-2. 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.
